“You said that one of the two players, Cho Dae-hyun and Won Sang-hyun, who was selected by KT, will come. I think they did well.” KIA coach Kim Jong-guk said on the 14th that the 2024 KBO rookie draft has ended.메이저놀이터
. When asked if there was any exchange of opinions with the front office about the first round pick, he responded that he had received a report. It is impossible for the first-team coaching staff to know in detail the strengths and weaknesses of high school and college amateur players. So I usually leave it to the scouting organization and front office. However, the general direction is discussed with the on-site director, but KIA’s choice was already tilted towards one of the two.
Among these, KIA nominated Gangneung High School right-hander Cho Dae-hyun. After Jang Hyun-seok (LA Dodgers), who was selected as the biggest player, declared his intention to advance to the major league, the ‘TOP 5’ of this rookie draft was generally decided to some extent as of September. This means that the nominations of the remaining clubs could have changed depending on the choice of KIA, which had the right to appoint No. 6, and KIA also chose Cho Dae-hyun without any major surprises.
KIA focused on strengthening right-handed power in this rookie draft. It was judged that left-handers had secured a certain number of players in recent drafts. In fact, KIA is the only team that currently has native starters (Yang Hyun-jong, Lee Ui-ri, and Yoon Young-cheol) all left-handed. In the bullpen, Choi Ji-min, the top pick, showed his potential this year, and Kim Ki-hoon, the first round pick in 2019, is also there. Although they are considered a left-handed powerhouse, right-handed pitchers also needed to be balanced. Cho Dae-hyun is the promising star.
Cho Dae-hyeon boasts a sturdy physique of 193 cm and 90 kg. He is a player that scouts give very high marks in terms of physical ability. It is evaluated that he may become stronger if he undergoes systematic training in the professional world. He throws a fastball at a maximum speed of 151 km/h at a high RBI. KIA believes that he also has good stamina. The team views him as a starting resource.
Coach Kim also said, “I think there is a high possibility,” adding, “In the beginning, his speed was fast, but he was physically weak, but I received a report that he could become a good player if he manages his physical strength well.” This suggests that the KIA front office is not in such a hurry to look at Cho Dae-hyun. A club scout said, “Yoon Young-cheol and Cho Dae-hyun, who were appointed a year ago, are different. While Yoon Young-cheol is an immediate player, Cho Dae-hyun is a player who will take time.”
However, KIA’s advantage is that it can afford to wait for that time. Lee Ui-ri has already settled into the starting lineup. The question is whether he will grow further from here or not, but Lee Ui-ri’s potential is already at the top of the KBO league. There is also a track record of winning 24 games over the past three years. Yoon Young-cheol, who is close to being a pitcher for actual use, also showed his potential by moving around in the starting rotation this year. Although there are some regrets about the speed of the fastball, his game management, ability to use breaking balls, and even his senses all received passing grades.
Since there are Lee Ui-ri and Yoon Young-cheol who were nominated earlier, KIA does not need to look at Cho Dae-hyun so urgently. It is known that within KIA, unlike Yoon Young-cheol, there is a plan to make it after 1-2 years of systematic training. Even though he can throw 150 km right now, some say that if he grows well, he can throw a ball up to mid-150 km. The work to make the bowl is expected to be carried out step by step.
If the project to create a right-handed starting pitcher led by Cho Dae-hyun is successfully completed within 2-3 years, the KIA starting lineup could become a sustainable rotation with Lee Ui-ri and Yoon Young-cheol. Of course, it is not as easy as it sounds, but considering KIA’s recent trend of top picks establishing themselves in the first team a little faster than other teams, we can put our hopes on it. Kim Ki-hoon (2019 1st round), Jeong Hae-young (2020 1st round), Lee Eui-ri (2021 1st round), Kim Do-young (2022 1st round), Choi Ji-min (2022 1st round), and Yoon Young-cheol (2023 1st round). It’s a case.