Kye-Hyun Jo (right), general manager of KIA. /yunhap news
[한스경제=이정인 기자] The date of the first nomination of the 2022 KBO League rookie is three days away. This year is the last of the first round of nominations for prospects from the local area. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) abolished the first round of nominations from the 2022 rookie draft and implemented a full draft in order to achieve balanced development and leveling of power for the 10 teams.
The eyes of the baseball world are focused on the selection of the KIA Tigers. KIA is happy but has a headache. There are two top-notch prospects in Gwangju, the hometown of which all clubs can covet. Gwangju Jinheung High School pitcher Moon Dong-ju and Gwangju Dongseong High School infielder Kim Do-young (18 years old) are the most likely candidates for the KIA’s first round of nomination.
Moon Dong-ju is the best pitcher in high school. A right-handed orthodox type pitcher with a strong physique of 188 cm tall and 92 kg in weight, he throws a high-speed ball that reaches a maximum speed of 150 km/h. He is evaluated as a ‘post-high school level’ player with a fast ball as well as a high-quality slider, curve, and splitter.
Kim Do-young is the biggest hitter in high school, called ‘the second Jong-beom Lee’. He is an all-rounder with batting accuracy and power, stable shortstop defense, throwing ability, and main force. Kim Do-young, who swept the hitting streak, scoring and stolen bases award in the 2020 Blue Dragon, as a sophomore in high school, played 21 games this year, batting average of 0.456 (36 hits in 79 at-bats), 1 home run, 17 RBIs, 22 points, and 17 stolen bases.
On the 19th, KIA general manager Jo Gye-hyeon (57) said, “Both look good. Moon Dong-ju has good physical strength and throws the fastest ball on the high school stage. It’s hard to find a pitcher like him. Kim Do-young is a really good baseball player. He has a three-time airborne strike, so he can grow as a large infielder.”
Gwangju natives Dong-Joo Moon and Do-Young Kim have long publicly expressed their desire to receive the first round of designation by the KIA, their hometown team. However, only one of the two can wear the Tigers jersey. The two players and the KIA are likely to recall the line from the classic Chinese book of Three Kingdoms, “How did the sky give birth to Zhu Yu and Zhuge Liang?” Director Jo Gye-hyun said, “I don’t know why they were born in different years, but I don’t know why they were born in the same year.” He smiled and said, “I think I’ll have to think about it until the day of my nomination. I’m repeating Janggo.”
KIA’s choice is expected to affect the Hanwha Eagles’ first round of selection. Hanwha, which finished 10th last year, has the national first-place selection right. In the Chungcheong region, there are promising players such as Chan-hyeok Park of Cheonan Bukil High School and Jun-young Park (age 18) in Sego, but they have less weight compared to Dong-ju Moon and Do-young Kim. If the KIA nominates Kim Do-young, there is a high probability that Hanwha, which holds the national designation rights, will nominate Moon Dong-ju. Conversely, if KIA chooses Dong-Joo Moon, Hanwha will definitely pick Do-Young Kim.
Min-hyeok Jeong (38), head of Hanwha Scouting Division, said on this day, “Both Dong-Ju Moon and Do-Young Kim are players with a high probability of succeeding in the pro.” . Kim Do-young is a player who is perfectly good at both karate in high school baseball. I think he can adapt quickly in the pro.”
.
