The 2026 KBO rookie draft, held on September 17, 2025, at the bustling Lotte Hotel World Crystal Ballroom in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, delivered all the drama and surprises that baseball fans have come to expect from Korea’s most hotly anticipated annual talent showcase. With 1,261 aspiring players in attendance—comprising 930 high school stars, 312 university hopefuls (including 51 from the Y-League), and 19 overseas amateurs and professionals—the event was a testament to the depth and passion driving Korean baseball’s future.
All ten KBO teams came prepared, utilizing their full allotment of 110 picks, but it was the Kiwoom Heroes who stole the early headlines by selecting right-handed pitcher Park Jeong-hyun from Buk-ilgo as the undisputed first overall pick. Towering at 188 cm and weighing 95 kg, Park’s physical presence is matched only by his on-field prowess. Known for unleashing fastballs that reach a blistering 157 km/h, Park has been on every scout’s radar for years, and his selection came as no surprise to those following his meteoric rise.
Park’s high school statistics speak volumes: during the Korean high school baseball league season, he appeared in 10 games, pitching 40⅔ innings with a 2.63 ERA, 54 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.90. These numbers, combined with his reputation as the son of former Doosan Bears coach Park Seok-min, cemented his status as the draft’s top prize. The Heroes, displaying their intent, had even prepared a jersey with his name and the number 18 ahead of time.
After hearing his name called, Park Jeong-hyun was visibly moved. "Ever since I started playing baseball, being the first overall pick was my dream, and I’m truly grateful to the Kiwoom Heroes for making it a reality," Park said, fighting back emotion. "I want to thank my parents for always supporting me and all my coaches, especially my manager at Buk-ilgo, for guiding me. I’ll work hard to show my best in the first team as soon as possible." His father, Park Seok-min, was seen shedding tears of pride on stage—a moment that resonated with everyone in attendance.
The surprises didn’t end with the top pick. With the second overall selection, the NC Dinos bucked expectations by choosing infielder Shin Jae-in from Yushin High School, rather than another pitcher. Shin, who stands at 185 cm and weighs 82 kg, played in 26 high school games this year, batting .337 (31 hits in 92 at-bats), with 4 home runs, 30 RBIs, and an impressive on-base percentage of .463. His defensive skills at third base have scouts predicting he’ll develop into a power-hitting cornerstone for the Dinos.
Shin Jae-in was quick to express his gratitude after being selected. "Thank you to the NC Dinos for making me their first-round pick and to all the coaches who helped me get here. I’ll work hard to become a player worthy of this honor," he said. Inspired by the legendary Choi Jeong of SSG Landers, Shin added, "I want to follow in Choi Jeong’s footsteps and make my mark as a hitter in the KBO League."
The third pick brought another twist. Hanwha Eagles, defying most pre-draft predictions, opted for outfielder Oh Jae-won from Yushin High School. Oh dazzled this season with a .442 batting average (42 hits in 95 at-bats), 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 37 runs, and a staggering 32 stolen bases. His contact hitting, base-running intelligence, and wide defensive range have already drawn comparisons to some of the league’s most dynamic outfielders. "I never imagined I’d be picked this early," Oh admitted. "Thank you to everyone who believed in me—I’ll do my best to become the player Hanwha fans want to see."
As the draft moved into the mid-rounds, the focus shifted back to pitching. The Lotte Giants, with the fourth pick, selected right-hander Shin Dong-geon from Dongsan High School. Shin’s 15-game season featured 71⅓ innings, 8 wins, 2 losses, a minuscule 0.51 ERA, and 69 strikeouts. "It was a tough journey to get here, but my parents’ support made all the difference. I’ll take this responsibility seriously and do my best for the Giants," Shin said, his eyes shining with determination.
Other notable selections included Kim Min-jun (Daegu High School) going to SSG Landers at fifth, after a remarkable undefeated season with a 2.16 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 78⅔ innings, and Park Ji-hwan (Jeonju High School) heading to KT Wiz at sixth, boasting a 1.77 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 55⅔ innings. Doosan Bears, with the seventh pick, chose outfielder Kim Joo-oh from Masan Yongma High School, who hit .360 with 6 home runs and 31 RBIs in 32 games.
The eighth pick saw LG Twins take a calculated risk with right-hander Yang Woo-jin from Gyeonggi Aviation High School. Despite his recent elbow fatigue fracture, LG’s general manager Cha Myung-seok was optimistic: "We never thought he’d still be available at our turn. It feels like our lucky day." Yang, however, declined to sign and will continue his college career, keeping fans guessing about his professional debut.
The Samsung Lions, picking ninth, added right-hander Lee Ho-bin from Seoul High School to their roster. Lee posted a 2.61 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 31 innings across 17 games, earning him the nickname "Baby Lion." The tenth and final first-round pick originally belonged to KIA Tigers, but following a trade with Kiwoom, the Heroes used it to select infielder Park Han-gyeol from Jeonju High School. Park impressed with a .417 average, 4 home runs, 17 RBIs, and a .570 on-base percentage over 19 games.
Throughout the day, team representatives and fans alike remarked on the unpredictability of the draft. As one NC team official put it, "This year’s draft was a series of bold moves and surprises." The event’s intensity was heightened by injuries and late-breaking decisions, such as Yang Woo-jin’s withdrawal from the youth national team due to his elbow injury, which shifted the draft board considerably.
With the 2026 KBO rookie draft now in the books, all eyes turn to spring training and the upcoming season. The new draftees, led by Park Jeong-hyun, are eager to prove their worth and make an immediate impact. For the teams, the real test will come when these young talents step onto the field, hungry to turn potential into performance. The next chapter in Korean baseball’s rich history is already taking shape, promising more excitement, more surprises, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
