SEOUL– The Doosan Bears made the most controversial choice in the South Korean professional baseball draft Thursday, selecting a collegiate pitcher with a history of abuse against high school teammates.
With their 19th overall pick in the annual Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) draft, the Bears went with Korea University right-hander Kim Yoo-seong.
Kim, 20, had been selected by the NC Dinos with their priority territorial pick in August 2020 out of Gimhae High School. But the Dinos cut him after allegations of physical and verbal abuse against Kim from his high school days surfaced following the draft.
The Dinos’ decision made Kim ineligible for the KBO draft for two years. He chose to take the college route instead and regained his eligibility after completing two seasons.
Starting this year, players in the second year at four-year universities or three-year junior colleges became eligible in the expanded pool for the KBO draft. Kim was the first collegiate player to be chosen Thursday.
Kim pitched to a 3.15 ERA in 40 1/3 innings along with a 5-2 record this season. He struck out 57 and walked 22.
Based on talent alone, Kim was widely regarded as first-round material. However, because of Kim’s history as an unsigned former draft pick who entered the pool for the second time, teams were not allowed to choose him in the first round Thursday, per KBO rules.
While Kim is expected to be able to help the Bears immediately, the club will likely face much backlash for picking the pitcher that a few other clubs refused to even consider.
After playing in a record seven consecutive Korean Series from 2015 to 2021, the Bears are well out of playoff contention this year. Through Wednesday, they were in ninth place among 10 clubs at 51-70-2 (wins-losses-ties), nine games out of a playoff spot with 21 games left.
Source: Yonhap News Agency