Teams Draft Korea’s Overseas Baseball Pros

Kim Byung-hyun (28, Colorado) was picked by Hyundai, while Choo Shin-soo (25, Cleveland) was selected by SK on April 2 in the Korean Baseball Organization’s (KBO) draft of players playing overseas, at the Baseball Hall in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu. The draft was conducted to select among the five players who have been playing professional baseball in the U.S. since 1999.

SK won the right to pick first and chose outfielder Choo Shin-soo, while the runner up in the draw, LG, selected pitcher Ryu Je-kuk, 24, who is on Tampa Bay’s opening day roster. Doosan picked pitcher Lee Seung-hak, 28; Samsung chose pitcher Chae Tae-in, 24; and Hyundai picked Kim Byung-hyun for their team. Hanwha picked sixth and was not able to select a player.

Although there is little chance that SK, LG, and Hyundai nominees Choo Shin-soo, Ryu Je-kuk and Kim Byung-hyun will return to the national professional baseball league this season, the teams hold the permanent rights to these players.

On the other hand, it is highly likely that players who currently do not belong to any team, such as Lee Seung-hak and Chae Tae-in, will join Doosan and Samsung this season.

Ahead of this, Lotte and Kia selected pitcher Song Seung-jun (27, former Kansas City), and infielder Choi Hee-seop (28, Tampa Bay), respectively.

beetlez@donga.com