Lotte's choice is left-hander Kim Tae-hyun

The KBO hosted the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, Seoul. The rookie draft acquired the right to nominate candidates in the reverse order of the previous year's performance. The Kiwoom Heroes, the lowest ranking team in last year, will nominate the first place in each round.

Chung Hyeon-woo, a left-handed pitcher at Deoksu High School, was given the most important role in the first round, which drew keen attention from the public. Having fastballs with speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour, Chung also received high marks for his breaking ball completion and ball control. He was eventually nominated by Kiwoom.

The runner-up in the first round was right-handed pitcher Jung Woo-ju from Jeonju. Jung Woo-ju, who had the fastest ball of 156 kilometers per hour at an official game, was also considered the most powerful ball in the team. When the Hanwha Eagles named Jung Woo-ju, Kim Seo-hyun, and Jung Woo-ju, they created a fastball trio that led to Moon Dong-ju, Kim Seo-hyun, and Jung Woo-ju.

Samsung named Bae Chan-seung, a left-handed pitcher who has recently increased his stock price. Bae Chan-seung is a Daegu high school player who throws fastballs in the late 140 kilometers per hour. By gaining Bae Chan-seung from his local affiliates, Samsung has predicted that it will become a franchise star.

Lotte's decision came into the spotlight. Right-hander Kim Tae-hyung of Deoksu High School and left-hander Kim Tae-hyun of Gwangju Jeil High School were picked as the biggest fish in Lotte's turn. With his skills considered similar, left-hander Kim Tae-hyun was expected to be picked as the first-hander. In the end, Lotte picked left-hander Kim Tae-hyun.

Park Joon-hyuk, the general manager of Lotte, said, "I thought he was a player who had a good movement in the direct ball and would play enough on the professional stage as a pitcher for Lotte Giants, including curve angles, various pitches, and deception. With the ratio of left and right hitters in the league being one-on-one, the value of left-handed pitchers will rise further," he said on the reason for choosing Kim Tae-hyun.

As a result, Kia recruited Kim Tae-hyung, a right-handed pitcher. Kia did not hesitate to name Kim Tae-hyung, who wore the uniform with a big smile. 메이저사이트

KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak said, "First of all, there was unanimity in the scouts and my role model was Yang Hyun-jong, so I wanted to do it together."

Kim Tae-hyun, who was nominated by Kia, said, "Thank you to all the Kia officials who selected me. Since I grew up supporting Kia since elementary school, I wanted to go to Kia, but I am happy to be selected. I really want to go to Kia and become a player who represents the team."