Professional baseball team KIA Tigers announced today (Oct. 6) that they have signed a total of seven development players, including pitchers Lee Jun-hyuk (22) and Choi Seung-hyuk (20), infielders Choi Byung-yong (24), Lee Ji-won (21), and Song Seung-yeop (23), and outfielders Kim Tae-eun (22) and Ji Seung-gi (22).

Infielder Choi Byung-yong has a background of joining the San Diego Padres in the 20th round (611th overall) of the 2023 U.S. professional baseball draft after graduating from Shinil High School.

Right-handed pitcher Lee Jun-hyuk, a graduate of Gwangju Ilgo High School and Hanyang University, is a starting pitcher resource equipped with excellent physical conditions and game management skills.

Choi Seung-hyuk, who graduated from Busan Science and Technology University via Gwangju Dongseong High School, is a right-handed pitcher whose strengths are good ball movement and breaking balls with a sharp break.

Lee Ji-won, a graduate of Daejeon High School and Yonsei University, has strengths in stable hitting ability and diligence, while Song Seung-yeop, a graduate of Chungam High School and Dongwon University, possesses outstanding athletic ability and solid fundamentals.

Outfielder Kim Tae-eun, who graduated from Busan High School and Dongwon Science and Technology University, maintained a consistently high batting average in the university league this season.

Ji Seung-gi, a graduate of Seoul Automotive High School and Hanil Jangsin University, demonstrated stable skills and game execution capabilities across offense, defense, and base running based on superior physical conditions and athletic ability.

A KIA official stated, "We have recruited players we had been keeping an eye on although they were not selected in the draft," adding, "We focused on each player's potential and room for growth."

"We will develop them into fine players through the club's systematic development system," the official said.

(Photo provided by KIA Tigers, Yonhap News)