"Why the top overall draft pick?" Why Lee Hong-seok of Deoksu High School left a team that won its first championship in 44 years... The reason he accepted a six-month playing ban [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Shortstop is both my goal and my dream, so I really wanted to try it."

The disadvantage of being unable to play in official games for six months due to a transfer did not dampen his determination to pursue his dream. This was the reason why Lee Hong-seok (17), who is considered a top candidate for the overall first pick in the 2028 KBO Rookie Draft, left Seunggwang High School for Deoksu High School ahead of his final high school season.

Lee Hong-seok, who recently met with StarNews at the Deoksu High School baseball team in Seoul, shared his recent status after the transfer, saying, "Honestly, there is a burden. But I think of this as part of my growth process and am working hard."

Lee Hong-seok is a player who has long been recognized as a promising prospect nationwide. After graduating from Daejeon Sinheung Elementary School and Chungnam Middle School, he enrolled at Seunggwang High School and secured a starting position from his freshman year. Over the past two years, in 41 official high school games, he recorded a .366 batting average (53 hits in 145 at-bats), three home runs, 30 RBIs, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases, along with an on-base percentage of .420, a slugging percentage of .559, and an OPS of .979. As a pitcher, he posted a 1-0 record in six games with an ERA of 2.57. In particular, in July this year, he contributed to Seunggwang High School's victory in the Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship, the school's first title in 44 years. Standing at 179 cm, he does not have a large build, but with fast bat speed and a strong arm, he is a player who can handle both infield and outfield positions.

Among KBO scouts, Lee Hong-seok is evaluated as a candidate to compete for the overall first pick in the 2028 KBO Rookie Draft, which will be held next year, alongside Han Gyu-min (17, Daejeon High School), Jo Seong-jun (17), and Hong Ju-yong (17, all from Whimun High School). A scout for a KBO team told StarNews, "Lee Hong-seok is one of the players with excellent physical abilities, and his growth is expected. He showed talent in hitting from his freshman year. Although he is a bit short, he is a player who plays solidly and with determination."

The decision Lee Hong-seok made ahead of his final high school season was to transfer. The reason was clear: he wanted to return to the shortstop position, which he had held through middle school. Lee Hong-seok candidly shared his feelings, saying, "In my freshman year, Coach [name] rotated me between infield and outfield positions in an effort to get me into games. In my sophomore year, I wanted to play infield, but due to team circumstances, I was moved to the outfield." He added, "I was worried that I might not get my desired position in my senior year either."

He decided to transfer last September. While recovering from surgery on his right thumb in July, he received a message from his elementary and middle school senior Hwang Seong-hyeon (18, NC Dinos) informing him that the shortstop position was open. This vacancy arose because Hong Ju-yong, Deoksu High School's original shortstop, decided to transfer to Whimun High School at the end of August. After consulting with his parents, Lee Hong-seok conveyed his intention to Coach Bang Jin-ho of Seunggwang High School. Seunggwang High School maintained that he would have to compete with existing players to secure the shortstop position.

It was a difference in perspective. Although he possessed good qualities thanks to his strong arm and excellent physical abilities, he had not played shortstop for a while, so there was much he needed to develop, such as footwork and judging ball trajectory. Since these are skills that must be acquired through extensive training, the player wanted to devote himself fully in a situation where his position was guaranteed, whereas Seunggwang High School wanted him to prove his ability through competition and earn the spot. There is no single right answer to this issue.

After much deliberation, Lee Hong-seok decided to take on the challenge in a new environment. What was the reason he desired shortstop so much? He said, "From the moment I started playing baseball, that position looked cool. I thought it was a player who moves other players' defensive positions and takes on the most important mission in the infield. That is why I coveted that position."

The new challenge is not easy. Due to the six-month playing ban resulting from his transfer, Lee Hong-seok cannot play in official games until the early part of next season. He and Coach Jung Yun-jin are looking at the E-Mart Cup in April as the point for his return to competitive action.

There are clear tasks to be resolved in the meantime. Deoksu High School, led by Coach Jung Yun-jin, is one of the strongest teams in the country, having won both the E-Mart Cup and the President's Cup this year. In particular, Eum Jun-sang (18), who signed a $1.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB) this year, was at the center of that success. As he is taking over that opportunity, he must prove his competitiveness to secure a starting position.

Lee Hong-seok explained, "It was difficult when I first started playing shortstop defense again. However, Coach and the coaches at Deoksu High School explained in detail the parts I didn't know." He added, "I think that while hitting can fluctuate, defense should make those watching feel comfortable. So I am practicing accurate defense a lot."

He viewed the six-month playing ban as time to be reborn as Lee Hong-seok, a "specialized shortstop." He also received advice from Eum Jun-sang, who had chosen to go to the United States first. Lee Hong-seok said, "(Eum) Jun-sang hyung told me to carefully think about the missions given by the coaches and do them slowly, one by one."

That said, he has not forgotten his connection with Seunggwang High School, which nurtured him. After transferring, Lee Hong-seok visited his former mentors to pay his respects. He said, "After the No Brand Tournament in November ended, I went to greet Coach [name], and while joking around, he always told me that he supports me. It seems I left Seunggwang High School with only good memories." He added, "I am grateful to my classmates, seniors and juniors, and alumni. Because Seunggwang High School nurtured me, I think the person I am today exists. At Deoksu High School, I want to grow even more and become a player who will shine for South Korea."

Coach Bang Jin-ho of Seunggwang High School, who was contacted by StarNews, also responded, "I think it is a standard transfer process. We wanted (Lee) Hong-seok to secure the shortstop position through competition. But Hong-seok made that decision, and we simply hope he does well there."

Facing his final winter in high school, Lee Hong-seok stated his resolve, saying, "I am preparing with the mindset of believing in myself, believing in Coach, the coaches, my classmates, and juniors, and going all out." He added, "Even in this changed environment, I want to grow into a player who helps the team next year."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original