The depth has become thicker, and even unexpected gems have been captured.

The KIA Tigers selected a total of 10 players (excluding the 2nd round pick trade) in rounds 1 to 11 in the 2024 KBO rookie draft held at the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Chosun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul on the 14th. Seven pitchers were selected, including Gangneung High School ace Cho Dae-hyeon, who is 1m93 tall and has a 151km fastball, catcher Lee Sang-jun (Gyeonggi High School), infielders Kang Min-je (Gunsan Sangil High School), and Kim Du-hyeon (Dongwon University).메이저놀이터

KIA is considered to be the team with the most selection and selection of pitchers of various types, including left-right and sidearm, among the 10 teams in the KBO League. They are called the ‘Pitcher Kingdom’ because they have ample depth, regardless of whether they are starting pitchers or in the bullpen. Since last year, a pitching academy has been opened in Hampyeong to accelerate the development of promising pitchers. In this nomination, we chose to deepen the pitching depth.

General Manager Shim said, “We brought in all 7 pitchers we wanted to select. We were able to select Dae-Hyun Cho as planned in the first round,” and “In fact, we thought that Sang-Jun Lee (who was selected in the third round) would be selected by another team in the previous round, but we were given the order. “I was able to come back and catch it,” he said. He added, “I wanted to select a pitcher with good velocity in the upper rounds, and a player with a sense of stability and quick feet in infield defense in the later rounds.” Regarding Cho Dae-hyun, who was selected in the first round, “We are looking at it from a long-term perspective rather than as a resource to enter the first team right away,” and “Just as Yang Hyeon-jong debuted in 2007 and grew slowly, (Cho Dae-hyun) will grow into a very good player if we develop him through our training system.” “It will happen,” he predicted. Regarding Lee Sang-jun, he said, “He has ample potential as a big catcher. When I checked it out in the field, he has a throwing ability that is comparable to that of a professional player. I have expectations that he will grow very quickly if he strengthens his defense.”

KIA Power Planning Team Leader Kwon Yun-min said, “We wanted to select players who could be developed as starters, including the pitchers we had planned before being nominated, and we were able to secure good catchers,” adding, “We were also able to select infield resources with multi-talented abilities and power. “I am satisfied overall,” he said. He continued, “Both the current first team and Futures have coaches who are good at looking at the strengths of young players. We focused on finding resources that can maximize those aspects.” He added, “We wanted to find players who were well-equipped not only in terms of skills but also in personality, and selected players. “I did,” he said.