The last team's surprise choice, Ahn Chi-hong, goes to Kiwoom as the first overall pick in the second draft!

Nov 19, 2025

The last team's surprise choice, Ahn Chi-hong, goes to Kiwoom as the first overall pick in the second draft!
The game between the Hanwha Eagles and the Kiwoom Heroes at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 14th. Ahn Chi-hong, a two-out Hanwha pinch hitter, is stepping down with a misfire in the bottom of the sixth inning. Daejeon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.14/



Ahn Chi-hong is going to Kiwoom!

Ten KBO League teams conducted the second draft somewhere in Seoul on the 19th. The second draft is a system to allow players who are not given a chance due to being pushed out of the main competition of each team to make a fresh start on other teams, and is implemented for the first time since the 2011 season and is held every two years in odd years.

Each team can create a protected list of up to 35 players, and teams can select the players they need in turn according to the order of the season's performance, except for 35 protected players and players who are automatically bound by regulations such as the first to third years of joining. Compensation of 400 million won in the first round, 300 million won in the second round, 200 million won in the third round, and 100 million won in the fourth round or less must be paid to the original team.




Two years ago, Choi Joo-hwan moved to the Kiwoom Heroes as the No. 1 overall pick, and Choi Joo-hwan was evaluated as a successful designation for his active performance as a center hitter in the past two seasons. In addition, Kim Kang-min, a former SSG Landers franchise star, was released from the protected list, and Hanwha Eagles took Kim Kang-min and caused a huge wave.

News that FA contract players and main players, who were not expected at all this year, were excluded from the protected list early on, raising fans' curiosity. And the results of the draft, which was held behind closed doors, were announced.

The last team's surprise choice, Ahn Chi-hong, goes to Kiwoom as the first overall pick in the second draft!
Photo courtesy=KBO
The No. 1 overall pick that drew attention was the Kiwoom Heroes' choice, and Kiwoom nominated veteran Ahn Chi-hong, who lost his way with the Hanwha Eagles. Kiwoom, which has weaknesses in batting power, was interested in Ahn Chi-hong's nomination even before the second draft was held. The range of defense on second base has narrowed a lot, but it is very likely that he will take on the role of a designated hitter as he still knows how to fight at bat. Kiwoom recruited Kim Dong-yeop last year to use him as a designated hitter, but he had a difficult season due to an injury in the exhibition game.




In the first round, the KIA Tigers also selected Hanwha veteran pitcher Lee Tae-yang. What was unexpected was that he did not make the nomination except for four teams in the first round. It is interpreted that there was no player to bring in 400 million won.

In the second round, Doosan Bears were noticeable to have veteran pitcher Lee Yong-chan. a return to one's old team. The Samsung Lions reinforced their home turf by naming Doosan's catcher Jang Seung-hyun. It is interpreted as a preparation for Kang Min-ho's qualification as a FA.

The third round is also interesting. Lotte Giants took a picture of Choi Choong-yeon, Samsung's future prospect, and Samsung had Lim Ki-young, who signed an FA contract at KIA. By the fourth round, a total of 17 players were looking for a new team. Kiwoom picked the most four players. The NC Dinos, Hanwha Eagles, and LG Twins did not name a single one.




Hanwha gave up a total of four players to other teams, followed by KT Wiz and Doosan with three players. SSG Landers and Kiwoom had zero Fiji players.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.