"Samsung 1R Kim Min-hoon and others: Record 11 players" – Players from the Korea Youth Baseball Federation named as '2027 KBO Rookie Draft' picks

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Korea Youth Baseball Federation (Chairman Lee Sang-geun) announced on the 22nd that 11 players from youth baseball teams affiliated with the federation were selected in the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft held on the 21st. The federation stated, "Following eight players last year and ten the year before, this year's selection of 11 marks a record high, continuing a steady upward trend for three consecutive years."

According to the federation, Kim Min-hoon (Gwangju Jinheung High), selected seventh overall in the first round by Samsung Lions, began his baseball journey with the Gwangju YMCA Youth Baseball Team while nurturing his dream of becoming a professional player. The Gwangju YMCA Youth Baseball Team also produced two KBO rookie draft selections this year, including Lee Jin-kwan (Gwangju Dongseong High), who was selected in the 10th round by KIA Tigers.

The Gyeonggi Namyangju Yano Youth Baseball Team, where starting pitcher Choi Seung-yong of Doosan Bears played, became the second youth baseball team under the federation to produce a professional player for three consecutive years after Park Jun-seo was selected by Doosan. This follows the achievement of the Chungnam Asan City Youth Baseball Team and marks the second such record for the federation.

Shin Hyung-seung (Gyeonggi Namyangju Eco Youth Baseball Team), who served as the left-handed ace for Cheongwon High this year, was selected in the fourth round by SSG Landers. Kim Geon (Incheon Gyeyang-gu Youth Baseball Team), who recorded a batting average of 0.492 this season, was called up by LG Twins in the fifth round.

Kang In-gyu, a shortstop from Cheongju High selected in the fourth round by NC Dinos, hails from the Chungnam Nonsan City Youth Baseball Team and was also named to the U-18 National Youth Representative Team this year. Kim Jimin (Seongnam High), a right-handed pitcher from the Gyeonggi Gimpo City Youth Baseball Team, was selected in the sixth round by KT Wiz.

A federation official stated, "Most importantly, this draft saw players selected by professional teams not limited to specific regions or certain clubs, but from youth baseball teams across the country affiliated with the Korea Youth Baseball Federation, including Gwangju, Namyangju, Gimpo, Paju, Guri, Incheon, Nonsan in Chungnam, and Jeonju in Jeollabuk-do. This is significant as it shows a continuous pipeline of players who started in club-based youth baseball during their childhood, progressed through middle school elite baseball, and are now realizing their dreams of becoming professional players."

Lee Sang-geun, Chairman of the Korea Youth Baseball Federation, emphasized, "Our federation aims for 'studying while playing baseball.' Currently, only about 10% of our members are active players. Our goal is not solely to produce many professional players. It is more important to create an environment where children who dream of becoming professionals and those who simply enjoy baseball as a hobby or talent can grow together on the same field. We will continue to build better youth baseball environments so that their time playing baseball with the Korea Youth Baseball Federation in their childhood remains a cherished memory for life."

◇ 1st Round, 7th Pick: Samsung Lions – Kim Min-hoon (Gwangju YMCA Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 4th Round, 34th Pick: Lotte Giants – Won Ji-woo (Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 4th Round, 36th Pick: NC Dinos – Kang In-gyu (Chungnam Nonsan City Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 4th Round, 38th Pick: SSG Landers – Shin Hyung-seung (Gyeonggi Namyangju Eco Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 5th Round, 50th Pick: LG Twins – Kim Geon (Incheon Gyeyang-gu Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 6th Round, 55th Pick: KT Wiz – Kim Jimin (Gyeonggi Gimpo City Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 7th Round, 62nd Pick: Doosan Bears – Park Jun-seo (Gyeonggi Namyangju Yano Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 7th Round, 65th Pick: KT Wiz – Choi Min-young (Gyeonggi Paju City Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 9th Round, 83rd Pick: KIA Tigers – Jimin-hyeok (Jeollabuk Jeonju Wansan-gu Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 10th Round, 93rd Pick: KIA Tigers – Lee Jin-kwan (Gwangju YMCA Youth Baseball Team)

◇ 10th Round, 98th Pick: SSG Landers – Wang Ji-hoon (Gyeonggi Guri Metro Youth Baseball Team)

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original