Kiwoom Heroes give Ha Hyeon-seung record 1.6 billion won rookie signing bonus
The Heroes gave its top draft pick a $1.2 million signing bonus after the two-way standout chose the KBO over MLB offers.
Ha Hyeon-seung, the No. 1 overall pick by the Kiwoom Heroes, at the 2027 KBO rookie draft in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Sept. 21
YONHAP
The Kiwoom Heroes gave a record 1.6 billion won ($1.2 million) rookie signing bonus to two-way threat Ha Hyeon-seung after it selected him No. 1 overall in the 2027 KBO rookie draft, the club said Wednesday.
The deal easily surpasses the previous rookie record of 1 billion won that Han Ki-joo received from the Kia Tigers in 2006.
Ha, a third-year student at Busan High School, has stood out as both a pitcher and hitter throughout his high school years.
He led Korea to the title at this year’s U-18 Asian Baseball Championship with three wins in three appearances, including the final. His performance at the tournament also strengthened expectations that his signing bonus would exceed 1 billion won.
Ha reportedly received attractive offers from multiple MLB clubs but decided to begin his professional career in the KBO.
The Heroes thought highly of Ha’s dominant ability, future potential and his decision to pursue his career in Korea rather than move overseas before deciding on the record bonus.
“I am truly grateful that the team valued me so highly and gave me such generous terms,” Ha said. “It still feels unreal that I am now a member of Kiwoom, a team I have always wanted to join.”
The Heroes have now signed all 11 players they selected in the 2027 rookie draft.
Second-round pick Choi U-jun, an infielder from Kyeongbuk High School, signed for 170 million won, while third-round pick Kim Min-jun, a pitcher from Kyungdong High School, signed for 120 million won.
“Kiwoom has produced many players who went on to MLB and there are still many great senior players on the team,” Ha said. “I want to learn as much as I can from them and continue to grow. I will work hard so I can greet the fans on the field next season.”
BY KO BONG-JUN [[email protected]]
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.
