"I will become Korea's top left-handed pitcher" — 152 km/h fastball, Masan High School left-hander Lee Yun-seong selected 8th overall by SSG... Dreams of becoming the second Kim Kwang-hyun [2027 Rookie Draft]

*This content was translated by AI.

His confidence in his fastball remains unchanged. Masan High School left-hander Lee Yun-seong (18) has put on the SSG Landers uniform as the 8th overall pick.

On the 21st, at the World Crystal Ball Room of Seoul Lotte Hotel where the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft took place, SSG used its first-round, 8th overall selection right to draft Lee Yun-seong. SSG General Manager Kim Jae-hyun personally called out the name of Masan High School pitcher Lee Yun-seong. After being drafted, Lee Yun-seong declared his ambitious goal: "I will become Korea's top left-handed pitcher in professional baseball."

He also showed no hesitation in expressing confidence about his most powerful weapon, his fastball. He said, "I want to work hard to make it so batters can't hit my fastball," while adding with a smile, "I think even in the pros, batters won't be able to hit it."

Lee Yun-seong's father spoke about both SSG's future and his son's growth. Lee's father said, "I will do everything I can so that he becomes a lucky charm for SSG's dynasty era in the upcoming Cheongna Dome age."

Lee Yun-seong was recognized early on as a candidate for the first round of this draft, known as a left-handed fireballer. According to the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), he stands 183 cm tall and weighs 93 kg. He began throwing pitches reaching speeds up to 145 km/h during his freshman year, and last year increased his maximum velocity to 152 km/h. Thanks to his rapid growth and powerful fastball, he attracted attention not only from the KBO but also from Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts in the United States.

Even when he met StarNews last January, his goals were already high. Lee Yun-seong stated firmly, "My goal is to be drafted in the first round this year. It may be difficult, but I am also aiming for the number one overall pick." Since his fastball is his greatest weapon, challenges were clear. During the process of rapidly increasing his velocity, his release point wavered, leading to inconsistency in control. A KBO team scout told StarNews at the time, "There is a risk that balance could be lost if there is too much focus on velocity," while also noting, "He has been a pitcher who throws smoothly and delivers impact since his freshman year. He is a player whose growth we look forward to."

Aside from his fastball, he most confidently uses a slider and has consistently refined a splitter to face left-handed batters. Since before the season began, he set his goal not just as a fast-ball-throwing left-hander, but to grow into a starting pitcher in the pros. Now, with just one powerful fastball that he trusts more than anyone else, he dreams of becoming the second Kim Kwang-hyun.

The 2027 KBO Rookie Draft is a full draft, with selections taking place from the first round through the eleventh round. Selection rights are exercised in reverse order of the 2025 team standings: Kiwoom, Doosan, KIA, Lotte, KT, NC, Samsung, SSG, Hanwha, and LG.

According to KBO regulations, there is only one rookie selection right trade allowed for 2027. On November 25 last year, NC Dinos traded catcher Park Se-hyeok (36) to Samsung Lions, acquiring the 27th pick in the third round as part of the deal. As a result, NC will select 12 players, Samsung will select 10, and the other eight teams will each select 11, for a total of 110 draftees.

This year's rookie draft eligible candidates include 891 high school graduates, 326 university graduates, 43 early draft applicants, and 20 other players from overseas amateur or professional backgrounds, totaling 1,280 individuals.

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*This content was translated by AI.