'Second Round Selection' Choi Ji-man: "I was picked too quickly... KT is a strong team; I will fulfill my role" [On-site Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I was surprised to be picked so quickly."

MLB home run leader Choi Ji-man (35) will don the KT Wiz uniform. Choi was selected 15th overall in the second round by KT at the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft held at Seoul Songpa-gu Lotte Hotel World on the 21st.

After the event concluded, Choi said, "There were so many excellent players that I thought my selection would come later, but I was picked early." Sitting alongside high school players born in 2008 who are seventeen years younger than him, he added, "It felt a bit awkward at first, but once I arrived, I actually felt nervous."

Regarding KT, Choi stated, "It's a great team with many senior players. Since it is a strong team, I will fulfill the role you expect of me." He also shared, "I almost had the chance to join manager Lee Kang-cheol (KT) on the WBC (World Baseball Classic) national team in 2023 but missed out; I hope we can have an opportunity to work together in the future. I want to work hard and be of help." Among KT players with whom he has personal connections, Choi mentioned Bae Jeong-dae (31), Heo Kyung-min (36), and Kim Hyun-soo (38).

Choi also expressed gratitude toward Ulsan Whales of the Futures League, where he made his first appearance in the KBO League. "For me, it feels like a home ground, almost like a second hometown," Choi said. "During my team's training session today, they reportedly broadcast the draft on the stadium scoreboard. Many players have been sending me messages." He then added, "Tomorrow (the 22nd), there is a Futures League playoff (championship semi-final at Ulsan Munsu Stadium), so I need to head down quickly," before leaving the scene.

Right-handed batter and left-handed hitter infielder Choi Ji-man graduated from Dongsan High School, played in the United States, and later signed with Ulsan, making his KBO League debut on June 27 of this year. In the Futures League, he recorded a .328 batting average (19 hits in 58 at-bats) with two home runs and 12 RBIs across 28 games played.

Choi Ji-man debuted in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 and later played for the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres. His career MLB statistics include a .234 batting average (267 hits in 1,567 at-bats), 67 home runs, and 238 RBIs over 525 games played.

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*This content was translated by AI.