'Even if the first-round draft is abolished, support continues': The seeds sown by KT make Suwon a breeding ground for the KBO League... 7 players from Yushin High School head to pro teams this year alone

*This content was translated by AI.

'KT Wiz's consistent regional investment is turning Suwon into a new 'player breeding ground' for the KBO League.'

'On the 21st, at the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft, KT selected three players from its home region. They chose left-handed pitcher Lee Seung-won (18) of Yushin High School with the fifth overall pick in the first round; in the eighth round, they selected left-handed pitcher Jo Young-woo (22), who graduated from Yushin and is now attending Yonsei University; and in the final eleventh round, they took infielder Lee Ji-hyo (18) from Jangam High School.'

'Notably, Yushin High School's recent track record of producing professional players stands out. At last year's 2026 KBO Rookie Draft, Yushin High School produced four professional players, including the second and third overall picks in the first round. Shin Jae-in (19) was selected second overall by NC Dinos, Oh Jae-won (19) was chosen third overall by Hanwha Eagles, Lee Kang-min (19) went to KT in the second round, and Lee Jun-seo (20) was picked by Lotte Giants in the seventh round. With this draft, Yushin High School has now produced a draftee for 11 consecutive years.'

'This year saw even more. A total of seven players — five current students and two alumni who have gone on to university — were selected by professional teams. At Jangam High School, Lee Ji-hyo was also drafted by KT. In addition to the players selected by KT, Lee Jun-woo (19) was chosen 19th overall in the second round, and Park Chan-hee (18) was selected 29th overall in the third round by Hanwha.'

'Jo Beomgyu (21, Dankook University), who went on to university, was picked 70th overall in the seventh round by LG Twins; Jo Hee-seong (18) was selected 71st overall in the eighth round by Kiwoom Heroes; and So Jae-hwi (18) received a draft selection from KIA Tigers at 73rd overall in the seventh round. As a result, seven players from Yushin High School were chosen by five different teams.'

'KT has also been seeking its future in its home region for a long time. Last year, they selected Lee Kang-min from Yushin High School and Kim Hwi-yeon (19) from Jangam High School; previously, they had taken So Hyoung-jun (25), Park Young-hyun (23), Kang Hyun-woo (25), Jo Dae-hyun (27), and Oh Seo-jin (20), all alumni of Yushin High School. Kang Geon (22, also from Jangam High School) is also developing within KT. Among them, So Hyoung-jun and Park Young-hyun have already established themselves as key players in the first division. Lee Kang-min, who joined last year as a high school graduate, quickly adapted to the professional stage, becoming another success story for KT in its home region.'

'The strengths of Yushin High School are also clear from the perspective of scouts on the ground. Lee Chung-moo, head of the KT scouting team, told StarNews: "Yushin High School players have very good character. Whether it's training or training volume at school, they seem to receive a lot of character education as well. The players have a strong sense of doing what is right and working hard. Their appearance as student-athletes is commendable."'

'The background behind the production of professional players lies not only in the school's development efforts but also in KT's consistent regional support. Even after the first-round draft system was abolished, KT delivered baseball equipment and supported game attendance for Yushin High School and Jangam High School from 2023 to 2025. In April this year, they donated baseball equipment worth 20 million won to the Suwon City Baseball and Softball Association. Youth players in the region benefited, including two high school teams (Yushin and Jangam), three middle schools, one elementary school, and four Little League teams.'

'Support from professional teams has bolstered the development environment for local schools, and players who have grown there are now being selected not only by KT but also by all 10 KBO teams. Hong Seok-moo, director of Yushin High School, previously expressed gratitude, stating: "Even though the first-round draft system has been abolished, KT takes good care of teams within the region," which has greatly helped student-athletes.'

'KT's consistent support combined with the development of a local powerhouse has positioned Suwon as a 'breeding ground for professional baseball' that supplies talent to the KBO League every year. Even after the elimination of home-region priority draft rights, KT and Suwon baseball continue their partnership, demonstrating a win-win case where professional teams and local amateur baseball grow together.'

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*This content was translated by AI.