I applied for the KBO League draft, but none of the 10 teams called my name. I shed a lot of tears due to the pain of unknown names, but I couldn’t stay still.
He made plans to go to college and try professionally again. Then, by chance, he came across an advertisement for a college baseball study abroad program in the United States, and boarded a plane to the United States.
He trained more diligently than anyone else in an unfamiliar place where he did not even understand the language, and eventually achieved the feat of being selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2023 draft.
Choi Byeong-yong (22), who had such an unusual background, gritted his teeth and said he would definitely achieve the American dream.
Choi Byung-yong, who recently met with SPOTV News somewhere in Seoul, said
I wasn’t drafted in the KBO league, but I know that there has never been a time before when I studied baseball in the U.S. and was drafted in the major league draft.
I think I have pioneered a new path. If I succeed, He was satisfied with his achievements, saying, “I think there will be another way to advance to the major leagues.” 지울프-토토
Choi Byung-yong is a graduate of Shinil High School. During his high school days
he mainly played third base. As he is tall at 190 cm, he is more of a corner infielder than a shortstop.
This was due to the coaching staff’s judgment that he was suitable.
Moreover, on the same team, Kiwoom Heroes had Kim Hwi-jip, who was drafted in the first round in 2022, so Choi Byung-yong was appointed as a third baseman.
He did not receive attention during his high school days, and no team was looking for Choi Byung-yong. Still, he couldn’t give up baseball.
Choi Byung-yong happened to come across a baseball study abroad program in the U.S., and went on to New Mexico Military Institute, a two-year university, with a full scholarship.
Choi Byung-yong said, “I agonized over whether to study at a Korean two-year university or study abroad in the United States.
Actually, going to the U.S. was a huge cost issue. But I was able to make the decision because I received a full scholarship. Also, in Korea
I couldn’t play shortstop because I was tall, but that’s not the case in the U.S. Corey Seager, my role model, is 190cm like me.
I left for the U.S. because I had expectations that I would be able to play as a shortstop again,” he said.
It was not easy to combine studies and sports. But Choi Byung-yong had nowhere to retreat. Although he wanted to return to Korea as a child, he made up his mind by watching major league games. At the training ground
he trained harder than anyone else. His skills improved day by day, and he began to attract the attention of scouts from major league clubs. San Diego
the Baltimore Orioles, and the Oakland Athletics showed interest in Choi Byung-yong.
Choi Byung-yong said, “I studied English hard before going to the United States. Still, it was the same that I couldn’t hear it at first.
It was frustrating because he couldn’t communicate. The food was also too salty. After three days in the United States
he wanted to return to Korea. “But everyone adapted,” he said, recalling the difficult times. “Still, I learned a lot.
This is especially true of defense. He was able to acquire a staff suitable for a tall shortstop. The way he caught the glove was also different. “Thanks to my little by little improvement in performance, many clubs paid attention to me,” he said proudly.
Just two years after moving to the United States, he received offers from major league clubs and four-year universities.
That’s how good his grades were. In his sophomore season, Byung-Yong Choi hit 15 home runs and recorded a batting average of 0.448 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.429. Choi Byung-yong said,
The standard of four-year universities is very high. He has many pitchers who throw fastballs reaching 95 mph (about 152 km).
While he had offers from four-year colleges, he also received draft offers from major league clubs.
After consulting with the school coach, he decided to enter the draft,” he said.
In this way, Choi Byung-yong was selected by San Diego in the 20th round, 611th overall, in the 2023 draft.
He was nervous because his name was not called throughout the draft, but the moment he was selected by San Diego
he felt like his hard work was rewarded. He said that he still feels awkward seeing himself playing in a uniform with the San Diego logo on it.
Choi Byung-yong said, “I knew right before the draft that San Diego and Baltimore were interested. However, San Diego selected an infielder in the upper round.
I expected to be selected in the lower rounds. I waited a long time, but San Diego nominated me. It’s true that it’s disappointing that it’s the 20th round
but it’s still hard to believe that I was selected in the major league draft.
San Diego is also engraved on uniforms and training uniforms. I feel good every time I see it.
It’s really an honor,” he said with a smile.
San Diego gave high marks to Choi Byung-yong’s hitting ability at the time of his nomination.
Choi Byung-yong participated in the tryout just before the draft, and he showed good performance during live betting.
But his professional performance was definitely different. Even though it was a rookie league, he had a hard time targeting because there were many high-level players.
Choi Byung-yong said, “The ball movement was definitely good. The record was set with a fastball, but when seen at the plate, the ball curved like a two-seamer.
It was supposed to be a spot-on hit, but I kept getting hit by the end of the bat.
It seems like he has no choice but to keep watching the ball and adapting.”
Choi Byung-yong’s goal is, of course, a big league call-up. Although it is a dream that cannot be achieved right away, he is determined to reach his goal without losing pace.
Advice from seniors such as Choi Ji-man and Bae Ji-hwan, who had previous experience in the minor leagues, also helped in setting goals.
Choi Byung-yong said, “In the United States, you have to go through the Rookie League, Low A, High A, Double A, and Triple A to reach the Major League. I try to go up just one level a year.
Choi Ji-man and Bae Ji-hwan seniors also said, ‘I hope they have the idea of completing the quest.’
I’m looking at five years at the earliest until a major league call-up. “
If I have the fun of moving up to a higher league every year, I think I might be able to make it to the major leagues someday,” he said.
Choi Byung-yong chose a path no one has taken before. If he succeeds, a new path to entering the United States will be opened. Choi Byung-yong said,
“Because I was given a good opportunity, it is natural that I should do well.
I recommend it to other players if they want to take on the same challenge as me. However, you must be strong-minded.
“I will do my best to be a good example for my juniors,” he said.