"It was the same year in 2017. I knew they were good players, but they were amazing and successful."스포츠토토
With Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers) entering the Major League, Kiwoom Heroes' 2017 rookie farming proved to be a "super jackpot." Kiwoom selected Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants) in the first round of nomination on June 27, 2016, and Kim Hye-sung as the seventh-ranked player in the first round of the draft on August 22, 2016.
Based on the current time when the first nomination was lost, players in the first and second rounds of the draft entered the Major League with a one-year gap. This is why it is not just a big hit, but a super big hit. The two have been the best hitters and best central infielders in the league for many years.
Lee said, "I haven't shown anything in the Major League yet. Kim has just started. However, not everyone can sign a six-year, 113 million-dollar contract and 22 million-dollar contract for three plus two years, respectively. This in itself holds great significance in the club's and the history of Korean baseball.
In addition, Lee Jung-hoo gave 18.825 million dollars to Kiwoom, while Kim Hye-sung gave 2.5 million dollars to Kiwoom. When the +2-year club option is implemented, 15 percent of the bonus will be set as an additional transfer fee, which will also be delivered to Kiwoom. They are good sons who have made huge financial gains.
Crucially, the two instilled pride in Kiwoom's good and junior players, and inspired motivation and challenge to the Major League. This was the part that Ko Hyung-wook, the general manager, emphasized the most after having a phone call on the 4th. Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung left a strong message in Korean baseball while chasing their dreams.
Ko could not hide his satisfaction. "I knew they were both good players, but they were amazing and successful," Ko said. It was already nine years ago that they were chosen. He must have vivid memories of them as he was the top manager of the scouting team in 2016.
In addition, Kim Jae-woong (Sangmu), who was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 draft, has established himself as the closing pitcher for Kiwoom. With Cho Sang-woo (KIA Tigers) leaving, Kim Jae-woong is expected to play as a pillar on the mound after his discharge. He showed that he is a good player for several years before joining the military.
They say that if they make even one or two key players in a specific draft, they will be successful. In addition, Kiwoom sent both the first draft and the first round of the draft to the Major League, and even picked a closure that could change the club's history. Of course, some drafts of Kiwoom actually failed.
However, any team has more failures than successes in terms of probability. It is difficult for a rookie to go to a pro, but it is a pro's physiology that 0.1% survives. In that sense, Kiwoom's 2017 draft should be re-examined. This is something that nine teams except for the draft and Kiwoom, which produced two major leaguers, have not experienced.