"Two-way" standout Kim Ji-woo: "I'm also considering going to the U.S.... I feel my true value as a starting pitcher" [2026 Elite High School Baseball Tournament]

[Financial News] "I’m considering both the KBO and Major League Baseball. I’ll play out this season and then make a decision. If I can establish myself as the top high school player in both pitching and hitting, I’ll head straight to the United States."
In the game against Jeonju High School at Gijang Hyundai Motor Dream Ballpark in Busan on the 3rd, part of the "2026 Elite High School Baseball Tournament," Seoul High School’s No. 4 hitter and closer Kim Ji-woo (18, pictured) opened up about his thoughts on a possible move to Major League Baseball (MLB).
After the game, Kim Ji-woo said, "For now, my priority is to have a strong season. I haven’t received any offers from MLB clubs yet. I don’t know how things will unfold later, but my goal of becoming the No. 1 player in high school baseball hasn’t changed."
Against Jeonju High School, Kim batted fourth and also took the mound as the closer. At the plate, he led the offense by going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. He sparked Seoul High School’s attack in the second inning with a towering double to deep center as the leadoff hitter, and in the sixth he added another hit off a new pitcher, showing he could handle any opponent.
On the mound, he threw 0.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout to earn the save, needing just nine pitches. Entering in the top of the ninth with one out and the bases empty in relief of Kim Jun-ho, he struck out pinch-hitter Cho Yoon-ho, batting for Lee Do-yun, to record the second out. He then induced Ahn Ye-chan to ground out to shortstop to end the game.
Kim excelled both as a pitcher and a hitter, but he says he feels more confident at the plate. "This past winter I focused my training on playing the field," he explained. "Personally, I’m more confident as a position player. But I also believe I can pitch at a high level, so I don’t want to give up either role," he said with passion. He added, "Among pitching roles, I want to be a starting pitcher. Only as a starter can I truly prove my value."
huni@fnnews.com Baek Chang-hoon Reporter