Kiwoom Heroes was the team that garnered the most attention in the 2024 rookie draft.
Kiwoom selected a whopping 14 players in the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on Thursday. The team poured out all the draft picks they had accumulated through trades and other means.
Kiwoom selected Seoul High School right-hander Jeon Jun-pyo with the eighth pick in the first round from LG Twins, which was acquired through the Choi Won-tae trade. He then used his original ninth-round pick to select Jang Chung-go pitcher Kim Yoon-ha. Kim is the nephew of “Korean Extraordinaire” Park Chan-ho and was a hot topic of conversation before the draft. Kiwoom head coach Hong Won-ki is a classmate of Park Chan-ho and Gong Ju.
Kiwoom also selected pitcher Son Hyun-ki (Jeonju), pitcher Kim Yeon-ju (Se AD), infielder Ko Young-woo (Sungkyunkwan University), pitcher Kim Joo-hoon (Dongwon University), infielder Song Jin-hyung (Gwangju Jeil-Go), catcher Kim Ji-sung (Yulgok High School Baseball Team), outfielder Park Chae-wool (Chungam), pitcher Park Bum-joon (Daejeon), pitcher Park Seung-ho (Gunsan Sangil), and infielder Shim Hwiyoon (Bae Jae). Ko Young-woo, who was selected in the fourth round, is currently appearing on the baseball talent program “Strongest Baseball.
The team also selected infielder Lee Jae-sang (Seongnam-go) with the 16th overall pick in the second round, acquired via trade with the KIA Tigers, and pitcher Lee Woo-hyun (Bibong-go) with the 24th overall pick in the second round, acquired via trade with the Samsung Lions. Eight of the 14 players are pitchers, with four infielders, one catcher, and one outfielder.
Here are some highlights
Jun-pyo Jeon (Seoul High), Round 1, Pick 8
I’m honored to be selected by such a great organization as the Kiwoom Heroes. I will try to adapt as quickly as possible and show my best in the first team. Seoul Go has a system similar to that of the pros, so I will try to adapt as quickly as possible and show good form in the first team. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me so far. I will repay the support with my performance.
Kim Yun-ha (Jang Chung-go), Round 1, Pick 9
I was very worried about being selected in the first round, but I’m grateful that KiumHeroes nominated me. I’m most grateful to my parents for leading me to this point. I think the manager and coaches who have been guiding me up until now have been able to get me to this point by building me up from the basics. I am very grateful to them. I will always work harder to live up to the expectations of my fans. I didn’t contact my uncle (Park Chan-ho) before the draft. I didn’t see him often because he was very busy, but he would give me good advice whenever he could. Being the nephew of the best pitcher in Korea, I’m going to be more careful in my behavior and work harder to live up to my name tag.
Round 2, No. 16 Lee Jae-sang (Seongnam High School)
I was surprised that my name was called sooner than I expected, and I’m grateful to Kiwoom Heroes and everyone involved for choosing me. I think my strong shoulders and power are my strengths. I want to improve my strengths and join the team next year, and I will show them how to play my best every day.
Son Hyun-ki (Jeonju), Round 2, No. 19
It’s an honor to be selected by the Kiwoom Heroes. I really like Gocheok Sky Dome and wanted to be on the mound, so I’m happy to be selected by a team that uses Gocheok Sky Dome as its home stadium. I think my strengths are my fastball and my changeup, which makes it hard for hitters to hit. I will do my best to be the first name that comes to mind when people think of left-handed pitchers.
△ Round 3, Pick 24 Lee Woo-hyun (Bibongo)
I’m honored to be selected by such a good team as Kiwoom Heroes. Now that I am a professional player, I will be more careful with my behavior. My strength is that I can throw a lot of innings as a starting pitcher. He’s a really hard worker on the field, and I’ll do my best to make sure that when he comes up, he can hear that our team won the game.먹튀검증
Kim Yeon-ju (SeAd), Round 3, Pick 29
I’m surprised and grateful to be drafted higher than I expected. I will do my best to become a player worthy of the expectations. (Lee) Myung-jong congratulated me a lot. I’m happy to be playing for the same club as my brother, but I’m also a little nervous to be competing against him. I have a good fastball, so I’ll work harder and hope to greet the first team as soon as possible. The best way to describe me is that I’m a little hot.