'Regional Insult Controversy' Baejae High School, Only One Player Drafted → Dramatic Professional Debut at Final 11th Round, Overall Pick No. 104! 'Left-Handed Ace' Kim Si-hoo Joins Lotte

*This content was translated by AI.

After enduring a fierce storm of controversy over 'regional insults' throughout this year, Baejae High School's baseball team finally saw one player selected for professional baseball. Kim Si-hoo, the team's left-handed ace, was dramatically called by Lotte Giants at the final pick of the rookie draft, successfully making his way to the professional ranks. Since all disciplinary actions have already been served, this selection appeared to be entirely problem-free.

Kim Si-hoo was selected by Lotte Giants with the 104th overall pick in the 11th round at the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft Selection Meeting held at Seoul Lotte Hotel's World Crystal Ballroom on the 21st. His name, announced just moments before the draft concluded, became the sole hope and great comfort for Baejae High School's baseball team, which had spent the season facing significant trials and a period of reflection. In this draft, Kim Si-hoo was the only player selected from Baejae High School.

Baejae High School's journey this season was particularly heavy. In June, during the Cheongryonggi Tournament, they faced the 'regional insult cheer slogan controversy' in a match against Gwangju Ilgo, resulting in a severe six-month suspension from the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), putting their season at risk of an early end.

Subsequently, alumni associations and players visited Gwangju Ilgo and the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery to bow their heads and offer sincere apologies. Thanks to Gwangju Ilgo's appeal for magnanimous leniency, the suspension was reduced to one month, allowing them to barely reach the final national tournament stage, the 54th Bonghwangdaegi. However, despite a strong performance led by starting pitcher Kim Si-hoo in the first-round match against Incheon High School at Bonghwangdaegi, they suffered a bitter defeat with a 5-8 score and were eliminated, ultimately ending Baejae High School's season after this tournament.

Although scouts had speculated that one or two players might be selected for professional baseball, the names of Baejae High School players were rarely called until the draft neared its conclusion.

However, only in the final 11th round, just before the event concluded, was a Baejae High School player's name finally announced. Lotte Giants highly valued the potential of left-handed pitcher Kim Si-hoo. After much deliberation, Lotte exercised their 104th overall pick in the final 11th round to select Kim Si-hoo and welcomed him into their fold.

Amidst the team's mistakes and a painful period of reflection, Kim Si-hoo stood firm and alone, piercing through the narrow needle's eye to reach professional baseball. It is highly anticipated what kind of dramatic turnaround story this left-handed ace from Baejae High School, who overcame trials to don the Giants' uniform, will write on the professional stage.

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*This content was translated by AI.