'Japan's Ohtani' Ha Hyun-seung selected first overall by Kiwoom Heroes, 'ML 67 home runs' Choi Jee-man picked 15th by KT... 2nd round: Doosan selects Kim Ji-woo, 3rd round: KIA selects Lee Ho-min [Rookie Draft Live Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Ha Hyun-seung (18, Busan High School), hero of the Asian Youth Championship victory, became the protagonist of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft as everyone expected.

'Ha Hyun-seung was selected first overall in the first round of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft by Kiwoom Heroes at the World Crystal Ballroom, Lotte Hotel Seoul on the afternoon of the 21st.

'The 2027 KBO Rookie Draft was a full draft, with selections made from the first to the 11th round. The selection order followed the reverse standings of the 2025 season: Kiwoom-Doosan-KIA-Lotte-KT-NC-Samsung-SSG-Hanwha-LG. Kiwoom immediately called out Ha Hyun-seung, the biggest name of this draft.

'Ha Hyun-seung was an overwhelming first-round candidate. After rejecting a $3 million (approximately 4.152 billion won) offer from the storied New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB), he declared his challenge in the KBO League. As a pitcher this year, he recorded 14 games, 4 wins with no losses, an ERA of 0.39, 45⅔ innings pitched, 12 walks/strikeouts, 77 strikeouts, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.72. As a batter, he played in 24 games with a .383 batting average (31 hits in 81 at-bats), 3 home runs, 21 RBIs, 17 runs scored, 1 stolen base, a .495 on-base percentage, a .593 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.088, demonstrating all-around excellence.

'In the U-18 Asian Youth Championship final on the 13th, he secured a complete-game shutout against arch-rival Japan over seven innings, bringing Korea its first championship in eight years. It was a perfect showcase ahead of the rookie draft.

'Given that he excelled in both pitching and hitting, and Kiwoom is a team known for providing more opportunities to young players than any other club, it is expected that he will shine as 'Japan's Ohtani.'

'Heo Seung-pil, General Manager of Kiwoom Heroes, announced: "We select Ha Hyun-seung from Busan High School. 2027 KBO Rookie Draft, first round, pick number one: pitcher and position player Ha Hyun-seung." He emphasized that they were not viewing Ha only as a pitcher but also as a position player.

'Stepping onto the stage to receive his uniform from General Manager Heo Seung-pil and taking his first step as a Hero, Ha Hyun-seung said, "Thank you for selecting me quickly. I will prepare well and hope to join the first division soon to show good performances." When asked about players he would like to face in professional baseball, he stated, "As a pitcher, I want to compete with senior Kim Do-young, who is currently the best pitcher, and as a batter, I want to go head-to-head with national ace Kwon Bin."

'Kim Tae-ryong, General Manager of Doosan Bears, said, "We have selected a position player for three consecutive years," and called out Seoul High School's Kim Ji-woo (18) as expected. Following the selection of Park Jun-soon in 2025 and Kim Ju-o in 2026, they once again chose a position player to prepare for generational change.

'Kim Ji-woo said, "Even though I couldn't finish the season due to injury, I am grateful to the Doosan officials who trusted and selected me. I will strive to always be a dedicated player for Doosan. I want to become a two-way player like Kim Dong-joo from Doosan."

'Sim Jae-hak, General Manager of KIA Tigers, selected Gyeongnam High School infielder Lee Ho-min (18). Lee Ho-min, who has been active recently by hitting home runs at the U-18 Asian Youth Championship, said, "I have dreamed of this since childhood; moments of hard work flash before my eyes like a movie reel. I was called 'Little Lee Dae-ho,' and I think I resemble Lee Dae-ho the most."

'Lotte Giants selected Park Geun-seo (18), a pitcher from Seoul Design High School. Park's father joyfully sang a song upon hearing of his son's selection by Lotte, while an embarrassed Park Geun-seo took the microphone and said, "I am able to stand here today thanks to my family. I want to try to get Kim Do-young, who is currently hitting the best, out with a look strikeout on a fastball." He showed strong determination.

'KT Wiz's selection was Lee Seung-won (18), a left-handed pitcher from Yushin High School. As a pitcher expected to carry the future of KT's pitching mound, he has drawn high expectations.

'Im Sun-nam, General Manager of NC Dinos, called out Park Bo-seung (18), an outfielder from Gyeongnam High School. Although there were predictions that they would acquire Choi Jee-man, they chose a local boy to strengthen their outfield.

'Lee Jong-yeol, General Manager of Samsung Lions, said, "We will select the pitcher most needed by our team," and called out Kim Min-hoon (18), a pitcher from Gwangju Jinheung High School. Kim Min-hoon, who erased a crisis in the second inning with one out and bases loaded against Japan in the U-18 Asian Championship Super Round, leading Korea to victory, was selected earlier than expected.

'SSG Landers selected Lee Yoon-seong (18), a pitcher from Masan High School. Lee Yoon-seong said, "I will become the best left-handed pitcher in Korean baseball after joining the pros. I believe my fastball will be difficult for batters to hit even in the professional league," expressing confidence.

'Son Hyuk, General Manager of Hanwha Eagles, said, "I was nervous wondering if this player's name would be called first. It seems a really good pitcher has arrived," and called out Min Ju-hong (18), a pitcher from Seorak High School. Min Ju-hong's father expressed his expectations: "There is a pitcher at Hanwha who made a stroke in the history of Korean baseball; I hope he becomes a pitcher who makes the second stroke next to him."

'LG Twins selected Yoon Ye-seong (17), a pitcher from Inchang High School. Yoon Ye-seong said, "I take LG's Yang Woo-jin as my role model. I want to become a pitcher who can throw long innings without walks," vowing determination.

'Choi Jee-man (35), whose selection in the first round was highly anticipated, naturally fell to the second round. Kiwoom selected Choi Woo-jun (18), an infielder from Gyeongbuk High School, instead of Choi Jee-man; Doosan selected Seol Jae-min (18), a catcher from Deoksu High School; KIA selected Kwak Byeong-jin (20) from Busan University of Science and Technology; and Lotte selected Bae Jong-yoon (18), an outfielder from Gwangju Jeil High School.

'KT has acquired Choi Jee-man, signaling a clear intention to strengthen their lineup. Choi Jee-man, who played for Ulsan Whales this season after going through the Big Leagues, made it onto the draft list after undergoing a tryout on the 1st. He achieved a more successful career in the Big Leagues than any foreign batter, and KT will enjoy the clear merit that overseas players are not subject to rookie contract bonuses under KBO regulations.'

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*This content was translated by AI.