KBO undrafted→US college→draft→ML entry ‘thrilled’, 2 Korean big leaguers born

After going undrafted in the KBO rookie draft, two Korean players went to college in the United States and were drafted by Major League Baseball teams. Choi Byung-yong, an infielder who graduated from Shin Il-Go, was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round, and Shin Woo-yeol, an infielder from Bae Jae-Go, was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 16th round.

This brings the total number of Korean and Korean-American players selected in the draft to four. Before Choi Byung-yong and Shin Woo-yeol, there was Kevin Shim (Arizona in the fifth round), the famous son of Jung-soo Shim, and Eddie Pak (White Sox in the eighth round).

After graduating from Shin Il-Go, Choi went on to play at New Mexico Military Institute in New Mexico, U.S.A. He played in 58 games in the collegiate league this year, batting .448 with 15 home runs, 80 RBIs, 71 runs scored, 45 walks, 10 stolen bases, and a 1.429 OPS. He was selected in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in the “last train” to San Diego.토토사이트

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego vice president of scouting Chris Kemp said, “Byung-yong Choi really likes our organization and him. He’s a left-handed, big infielder with a nice swing,” Kemp said, adding, “Byung-yong Choi loves San Diego and wants to be here. We think he can hit really well, and we’re happy to have him.”

Shin, who attended Miami Dade College after graduating from Bae Jae Go, had a tremendous offensive year in the collegiate league this year, batting .407 with 15 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a .772 OPS. All of those numbers were tops on the team. He played first base and right field and was selected by Tampa Bay.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, scouting director Chuck Ritchie said of the pick, “He’s a power hitter who can hit for power, so that’s really exciting.”