Samsung Lions sign all 2027 draftees; first-rounder Kim Min-hun gets 250 million won
In short
Professional baseball club Samsung Lions said on October 8 that it had completed contracts with all of its 2027 rookies. First-round pick Kim Min-hun (김민훈), a pitcher from Gwangju Jinheung High School (광주진흥고), signed for a 250 million won signing bonus, the largest in the class. Second-round pitcher Im Young-ju (임영주) received 150 million won and fourth-round infielder Kim Yong-hwi (김용휘) 80 million won.
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Professional baseball club Samsung Lions said on October 8 that it had completed entry contracts with all of its rookies for 2027, selected in the KBO rookie draft. Newsis reported the number of rookies as 10. The largest signing bonus went to first-round pick Kim Min-hun (김민훈), a pitcher from Gwangju Jinheung High School (광주진흥고), who signed for 250 million won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Samsung said Kim, who was a key pitcher on the youth national team, has an excellent fastball and command, according to Newsis. Chosun Ilbo reported that he is assessed as having a powerful fastball and stable control, including the ability to throw the ball where he wants. [ 1 , 3 ]
Kim told Chosun Ilbo he had heard a lot about the club's good support for players and its good team atmosphere. On pitching at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, which the report described as not easy for pitchers, he said it could be somewhat disadvantageous for a pitcher but that overcoming it is what being a professional means. He added that he thinks real baseball starts now and that he is preparing hard to compete with senior players and survive. [ 1 ]
Second-round pick Im Young-ju (임영주), a pitcher from Busan University of Science and Technology (부산과학기술대), signed for 150 million won; Chosun Ilbo reported that he is assessed as having strong game management and high growth potential. Fourth-round pick Kim Yong-hwi (김용휘), an infielder from Hwimun High School (휘문고), signed for 80 million won, and fifth-round pick Cha Yu-ju (차유주), a pitcher from Gyeongnam High School (경남고), signed for 70 million won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Samsung did not have a third-round pick in this draft. Yonhap and Newsis reported that it transferred the pick to NC Dinos when it acquired catcher Park Se-hyuk (박세혁) last November. [ 2 , 3 ]
The rookies first greeted fans at a 'Rookies Day' event at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on October 3, and they are scheduled to attend a rookie induction ceremony, according to Chosun Ilbo and Newsis. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The signings complete Samsung's intake from the 2027 KBO rookie draft, with the largest bonus going to a pitcher who was a key member of the youth national team. Samsung had no third-round pick in this draft, having transferred it to NC Dinos when it acquired a catcher last November.
Key facts
- Samsung Lions said on October 8 it had completed contracts with all of its 2027 rookies. [ 2 , 3 ]
- First-round pick Kim Min-hun (김민훈), a pitcher from Gwangju Jinheung High School (광주진흥고), signed for a 250 million won signing bonus. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Second-round pick Im Young-ju (임영주), a pitcher from Busan University of Science and Technology (부산과학기술대), signed for 150 million won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Fourth-round pick Kim Yong-hwi (김용휘), an infielder from Hwimun High School (휘문고), signed for 80 million won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Fifth-round pick Cha Yu-ju (차유주), a pitcher from Gyeongnam High School (경남고), signed for 70 million won. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Samsung's third-round pick went to NC Dinos when Samsung acquired catcher Park Se-hyuk (박세혁) last November. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The rookies greeted fans at a 'Rookies Day' event at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on October 3. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Samsung Lions completed contracts with all of its 2027 rookies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Kim Min-hun received a 250 million won signing bonus, Im Young-ju 150 million won and Kim Yong-hwi 80 million won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Cha Yu-ju signed for 70 million won. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The third-round pick was transferred to NC Dinos in the deal for catcher Park Se-hyuk last November. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Kim Min-hun was a key pitcher on the youth national team. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The rookies met fans at Rookies Day at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on October 3 and are to attend a rookie induction ceremony. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The number of rookies signed is given as 10. Only Newsis gives the figure of 10; the other reports say all rookies without a number.
- Signing bonuses for the remaining rookies were not reported. The reports list bonuses only for the first-, second-, fourth- and fifth-round picks.
- The date of the rookie induction ceremony. Reports say the rookies will attend one but give no date.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo reports that Samsung has completed contracts with its 2027 rookies, led by Kim Min-hun's 250 million won bonus. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports Samsung's announcement that all 2027 rookie contracts are complete. [ 2 ]
- Newsis reports the signings, saying Samsung completed contracts with 10 rookies. [ 3 ]