"Even if I'm not the top overall pick, I'll go" — Seven Korean high schoolers head straight to the U.S. this year; MLB's view of Korean prospects has 'once again' shifted [The Changing American Dream ①]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The way Major League Baseball (MLB) views Korean amateur baseball has changed. It is no longer a story reserved solely for elite prospects ranked as top overall picks. This year alone, seven high school players chose to head to the United States. Now, even players who go undrafted in the KBO Rookie Draft are on their radar.

The trend began this year with Park Chan-min (18), a right-handed pitcher from Gwangju High School. The Philadelphia Phillies signed him last May with a signing bonus of $1.205 million (approximately 16 billion won). Following him, Eom Jun-sang (18) from Deoksu High School signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $1.5 million (approximately 20 billion won). Both players had been mentioned as candidates for the top overall pick in the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft.

In addition, first-round-caliber players such as Ha Hyun-seung (18, Kiwoom Heroes), a two-way player from Busan High School who was offered $3 million (approximately 4.1 billion won) by the New York Yankees, and Kim Ji-woo (18, Doosan Bears), who stayed in Korea despite receiving a $1.5 million offer from the Toronto Blue Jays, received exceptional attention from MLB.

What has changed from the past is not just the numbers and contract sizes. The types of players MLB teams are looking at have also diversified. Shin Hee-ju (18), an outfielder from Cheongdam High School, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, while Kwon Si-u (18), a right-handed pitcher from Jangchung High School, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Nam Hyun-woo (18), an infielder from Seoul Convention High School, agreed to join the Detroit Tigers, and Jo Seong-cheol (17), a two-way player from Raon High School, reached an agreement to join the New York Yankees, awaiting a formal contract in January next year. Furthermore, Jo Woo-jin (18), a right-handed sidearm pitcher from Jang'an High School who went undrafted in the recent KBO Rookie Draft, also signed with Toronto. Thus, seven high school players have decided to head to the U.S. this year.

According to the official website of the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), Jo Seong-cheol is a large-framed infielder standing 189 cm tall and weighing 102 kg. A right-handed batter, he recorded a .344 batting average (22 hits in 64 at-bats) in 19 games this year, along with four home runs, 23 RBIs, 23 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. He also posted an on-base percentage of .462, a slugging percentage of .656, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.118. On the mound, this two-way resource recorded 25 strikeouts in 19 innings across seven games, with an ERA of 3.32.

Kwon Si-u is a right-handed pitcher standing 185 cm tall and weighing 87 kg. This year, he pitched in 12 games over 46 innings, recording a 1-3 record, an ERA of 1.96, 60 strikeouts, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.17. By simple calculation, his strikeout rate reaches 11.7 per nine innings. This is why Toronto showed interest not only in his fast ball but also in the mechanics of his pitching motion and the polish of his breaking balls.

Shin Hee-ju represents a different type of player. Standing 175 cm tall and weighing 72 kg, he lacks the physical attributes typically associated with a high-end prospect. However, this year he recorded a .347 batting average (33 hits in 95 at-bats) in 27 games, along with nine doubles, three triples, 19 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. He also posted an on-base percentage of .463, a slugging percentage of .505, and an OPS of .968. Although he hit no home runs, he had only nine strikeouts. He possessed clear strengths in precise contact, plate discipline, and speed on the basepaths.

Each player had different strengths. Jo Seong-cheol combined a large frame with strong arm strength and athleticism to play both pitching and batting, while Kwon Si-u was recognized for his polish as a pitcher and growth potential. Shin Hee-ju, with his smaller build, drew attention for his accuracy and base-running ability.

Jo Woo-jin, an undrafted player in the KBO, is also a player whose strengths can be viewed differently depending on evaluation criteria. Jo Woo-jin is a right-handed sidearm pitcher standing 185 cm tall and weighing 77 kg. This year, he recorded a 2-4 record, an ERA of 3.20, and 60 strikeouts in 45 innings across 12 games. As seen in his 22 walks and eight hit batters, command was a challenge. KBO Scout A recently told StarNews, "Jo Woo-jin's command was not very good. However, despite being a sidearm pitcher, he threw fastballs at 145 km/h, and since his slider is of the sweeper variety, it may have been attractive in MLB."

A common explanation among field officials is that MLB's perspective on Korean players themselves has changed. MLB Scout B said, "The way we view Korean prospects has changed from before. Previously, Korean players were seen as having only good physical attributes, but recently, with the level of amateur coaches rising and more players receiving personal training, I believe they have developed skills comparable to their age group."

He continued, "Among MLB scouts, there is a view that recent Korean high school prospects are actually better than Japanese prospects of the same age in terms of hitting. It is certain that Japan is better for pitching prospects. While Central and South American players may have superior physical abilities compared to Korean players of the same age, they are often seen as lacking in technical aspects."

Another MLB scout's explanation was in the same vein. MLB Scout C said, "There was a strategy to re-evaluate good players even among those undrafted in the KBO Rookie Draft," adding, "Korean high school players are receiving much more systematic training than before. When you look around, it is difficult to find a player who does not attend personal training facilities." He explained, "They are also receiving a lot of scientific training. Because the basic level of players has risen, teams are investing accordingly."

They have also shown competitiveness on the international stage. The Korean U-18 national team, featuring Eom Jun-sang and Ha Hyun-seung among others, won the championship at this year's Asia Youth Baseball Championship with a perfect 6-0 record, including two wins against Japan. MLB Scout B said, "The Taiwan team that won the U-18 tournament held in Busan in 2019 was really good. Some of those Taiwanese players who went to the U.S. are now standing out even in the minor leagues." He added, "In that regard, this Korean youth national team also showed an impressive performance on the international stage. I see it as a result demonstrating the competitiveness of Korean prospects."

Some analyze that this year's situation was unique. With the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between MLB offices and players' unions entering renegotiation in December, there are discussions about potential changes to the international amateur contract system. Consequently, some view that Korean players' market value rose because teams actively used up their existing signing bonus pools.

In response, MLB Scout B said, "It is not correct to say that. This year's players had truly good potential compared to players from other countries. Teams offered those amounts because they wanted to sign them that much." He emphasized, "Player signing bonuses are also included in scouts' performance evaluations. There is no overpaying for players just to use up the signing bonus pool."

What this year's trend has shown is not simply an increase in overseas expansion. MLB teams are looking at Korean high school players with various strengths, including top-tier prospects, large-framed two-way players, precise outfielders, polished pitchers, and still-raw sidearm pitchers.

From the players' perspective, an environment is being created where they can compare options such as domestic professional leagues, universities, and overseas professional leagues based on their growth direction and opportunities. This is closer to a new challenge for the KBO League rather than an unconditional crisis.

As the level of Korean amateur baseball rises and naturally broadens the interest of overseas teams, the KBO also needs to make the development environment, opportunities, and stable career paths that players can gain by growing in the domestic professional league more attractive.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original