"We Didn't Make a Hasty Pick Just Because We Lacked the 1st and 4th Rounds"... Kia Tigers' Hidden Gem, Their Confidence in Kim Min-gyu

[Financial News] The clear keyword of the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization Rookie Draft was 'outfielders.'
Since the transition to a full draft, not a single outfielder had been selected in the 1st round. This year, however, two outfielders were picked right away. Much attention was drawn to Oh Jae-won and Kim Joo-oh, both 1st-rounders. Yet, there is a team quietly preparing for an upset: the Kia Tigers.
When the 3rd round came, the Kia Tigers wasted no time in selecting Kim Min-gyu. This was not simply a pick made by order of the draft. It was a choice made with conviction. The Kia Tigers had their eyes on Kim Min-gyu for a long time—not just for a few days, but with consistent tracking since before the season, classifying him as a 'must-have' player.
This year, Kim Min-gyu posted 34 hits in 83 at-bats with a .410 batting average in the Seoul region. At the Presidential Cup National High School Baseball Tournament, he led Whimoon High School to a runner-up finish with 8 hits in 19 at-bats. As the leadoff hitter for Whimoon High School, he was both the start and finish of the team's offense. In the Bonghwangdaegi National High School Baseball Tournament, he recorded 3 hits and 3 stolen bases in 7 at-bats, clearly showcasing his unique style.

His strengths are not limited to hitting. Kim Min-gyu is a so-called 'five-tool' outfielder, possessing skills in defense, base running, and arm strength.
Especially as a center fielder, his arm is widely regarded by those on site as 'top-class among high school players.' He is also quick on his feet and has an excellent sense of balance. One scout from another team even remarked, "In terms of center field defense alone, Kim Min-gyu is better than Oh Jae-won." This highlights his high potential.
The reason his draft position slipped slightly was due to a shoulder injury. He had a period of absence in the middle of the season, which caused scouts' interest to wane temporarily. However, the Kia Tigers remained steadfast. Their scouting team believed, "Injuries are temporary, but tools are forever."
Kim Sung-ho, head scout, expressed, "We didn't make a hasty pick just because we lacked the 1st and 4th round picks. In fact, the pressure to do better was even greater." He added, "Just like with Kim Hyun-soo in the 2nd round, Kim Min-gyu in the 3rd round was also the result of intense deliberation." Kim Min-gyu is not a power hitter; he is a leadoff type. His main job is to get on base as much as possible. His success in the pros will likely depend on how much he can showcase his hitting ability.



The Kia Tigers' outfield is one of the team's biggest concerns for the future. Choi Won-jun and Lee Woo-sung have left the team, and it is uncertain whether Kim Ho-ryeong can perform as he did this year. Na Sung-bum's contract is nearing its end, and his recurring injuries continue to worry Kia fans. Lee Chang-jin and Park Jeong-woo are still primarily backups. Last year's rookie, Park Jaehyun, is still struggling to adapt to professional outfield defense. Jung Hae-won has only just made his debut in the first team. O Seon-woo is currently more suited to first base than the outfield. There are very few players who can be counted on with certainty.
Ultimately, a 'generational shift in center field resources' became an unavoidable task.
In this context, Kim Min-gyu is not just a promising prospect but is considered a 'missing puzzle piece' for the Kia Tigers' outfield. To put it simply, even if he doesn't become a star, he is a player who can at least contribute as a pinch runner or defensive replacement—making it highly likely he will reach the first team quickly.
This season, the struggles of Cho Sang-woo left Kia fans particularly disappointed. The reality of the defending champions dropping to 8th place was a blow to their pride. However, the fans know this: the seeds that will bring a true spring quietly grow during the coldest winters.
Kim Min-gyu is one of those seeds. If he can make a name for himself at next season's training camp, he may help thaw the heavy hearts of fans still affected by the Cho Sang-woo trade. Reportedly, Kim Min-gyu has been receiving positive reviews at the current Okinawa finishing camp.

At first glance, this year's draft for the Kia Tigers seemed underwhelming. That impression comes solely from the absence of 1st and 4th round picks.
However, what filled those gaps was quality over quantity. The name 'Kim Min-gyu' embodies the sincerity of the Kia Tigers' scouting team and their desperate desire to return to being a powerhouse. It's also why, knowing that most players would not come to them, they traveled to Japan to watch every game of the national youth team.
In the end, the draft is not a 'battle of order' but a 'battle of vision.' Whether it's the 3rd or 4th round, gems can be found anywhere. The Kia Tigers' scouting team has already proven this with Seong Young-tak, Hwang Dong-ha, and Kwak Do-gyu. This is why their confident selection of Kim Min-gyu is all the more anticipated.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter