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Rookie Choi Yu-bin’s strong spring fuels roster bid, Opening Day hopes

Published: 03 Mar. 2026, 13:51 Updated: 03 Mar. 2026, 16:33

Hanwha Eagles infielder Choi Yu-bin, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 KBO rookie draft [BAE YOUNG-EUN]

A fourth-round pick who almost didn’t expect to make it past the first cut, Hanwha Eagles infielder Choi Yu-bin is quietly turning the team's spring camp into his own breakout stage.

Choi entered the professional ranks this year after being selected 33rd overall in the fourth round of the 2026 KBO rookie draft.

At 24 years old, Choi is slightly older than most first-year players, having spent five years at Kyungsung University before turning pro. Despite that, he joined first-round pick Oh Jae-won, 19, at the club’s first spring training camp in Melbourne, Australia. He advanced to the second camp in Okinawa, Japan, after surviving the initial cut. New possibilities, which he had not anticipated himself, have begun to emerge.

“I didn’t expect that I would make it to the second camp after the first one,” Choi said when he met reporters in Okinawa. “While playing in games in Australia, I thought, ‘I want to go,’ but I’m really happy that I actually made it.”

“When the manager and coaches gave me opportunities to play in practice games, I told myself I had to show the kind of plays I’m capable of,” he said. “I’m satisfied because I think I was able to make a decent impression.”

Choi lists versatility among his strengths. He can cover all infield positions and is quick, but his contact ability at the plate has also drawn attention.

“I’m confident in my defense and my speed,” Choi said. “The power of pitches in the pros is different from amateur baseball, so I think I need to build more strength going forward.”

Hanwha Eagles infielder Choi Yu-bin [HANWHA EAGLES]

During the Okinawa camp, he has trained at shortstop, second base and third base. Hanwha Eagles officials have repeatedly praised his steady defense, but Choi continues to refine his fundamentals.

“I thought I was pretty good defensively, but after watching the other infield veterans, I realized I still have a lot to improve,” he said. “When I listen to what they tell me, a lot of it really resonates, so I ask a lot of questions and try to learn.”

Since arriving in Okinawa, he has been receiving instruction from veteran infielder Sim Woo-jun, known for his defensive skills, particularly on footwork and handling difficult hops.

Hanwha Eagles infielder Choi Yu-bin [HANWHA EAGLES]

Still in extensive training after being drafted, Choi has yet to make his professional debut.

“For now, my goal is to make the first team, and when I get into games, I want to show as much as I can of what I do best on the field,” he said.

Having advanced to the Okinawa camp and drawn the coaching staff’s attention, Choi is expected to receive further opportunities in exhibition games. If he continues to demonstrate his value, a spot on the Opening Day roster could become a realistic possibility.

“I never even thought about making the Opening Day roster as a goal,” Choi said with a shy smile. “But now that I’ve come this far, I do let myself think about it once in a while.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY BAE YOUNG-EUN [[email protected]]