'Busan Man' Ha Hyun-seung Was Resolute! "Lotte Fan? I Have Always Been a Kiwoom Fan"

*This content was translated by AI.

Ha Hyun-seung (18, Busan High School), a "once-in-a-generation talent" who has drawn attention from Major League Baseball clubs as well, took his first step onto the home field of the Kiwoom Heroes as a professional player. He showed no lingering attachment to his hometown team.

The Kiwoom club held the 2027 rookie introduction ceremony at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 6th. Ha Hyun-seung is a top prospect who was selected with the first overall pick in the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft held on September 21.

In particular, Ha Hyun-seung served as the ace of the U-18 national baseball team, which concluded its run on September 13, leading two consecutive victories against Japan at the Asian Youth Baseball Championship and playing a key role in securing Korea's championship. He attracted significant attention for abruptly choosing to join the KBO League after declining an offer of $3 million (approximately 4 billion won) from the prestigious New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Wearing a burgundy uniform, Ha Hyun-seung visited Gocheok Dome and smiled as he met with reporters, saying, "After greeting my senior teammates and trying on the uniform, I truly feel that I have become a real professional player."

To him, who is from Busan, a teasing question was posed: "Did you not want to go to your hometown team, the Lotte Giants, when you were young?" Ha Hyun-seung drew a firm line without a moment's hesitation, stating, "I have always been a Kiwoom fan and wanted to play for Kiwoom."

As laughter broke out among the reporters, he reiterated, "It was truly a team I had always wanted to join. There are many outstanding senior teammates and it is a team with much to learn from. Of course, there are many excellent senior players on any team, but I especially wanted to learn from the Kiwoom seniors," not hiding his pride in becoming a member of the burgundy squad.

The decision to choose the KBO League, and specifically Kiwoom, over going directly to the United States was also driven by his own firm will. Emphasizing this, Ha Hyun-seung said regarding the Yankees' offer or whether he would attempt dual roles as a pitcher and hitter, "I have always been the one to tell my parents or coach what I plan to do first. This time too, I made the decision based on my own thoughts and will."

Regarding dual roles as a pitcher and hitter, he stated, "It is a situation where I need to discuss it with the club and the coach. I will have a good conversation about it," while also adding, "Right now, I seem completely absorbed in pitching. I feel greater joy when getting strikeouts and throwing pitches. I will focus on refining my command to hit every corner of the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) zone and improving the completion level of breaking balls such as sliders and changeups."

Regarding his goals for the 2027 season, Ha Hyun-seung said emphatically, "Since I have to play many games, not getting injured is my first priority. I want to follow in the footsteps of my senior teammates well, learn a lot, and become a player who contributes significantly to the team's victories."

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*This content was translated by AI.