Hyun-seung Ha strikes out 12 over 5⅔ innings to lead Korea past Taiwan

2027 KBO rookie draft No. 1 overall pick favorite 'Busan High Otani' Hyun-seung Ha showcased his presence from the first game of the Asian U-18 Baseball Championship. On the 7th at Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taiwan, Hyun-seung Ha started as the starting pitcher in the opening round first game against Taiwan in the 14th Asian U-18 Baseball Championship, pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 hits, striking out 12 and giving up no runs. Ha struck out leadoff hitter Hou Chien-lui on a swinging strike, then struck out No. 2 hitter Liu Huan-wei on a swinging strike, and although he gave up a single to Chang I-an that turned into a run to third base, he induced a groundout to end the inning after a full-count battle with Huang Syao and a fine defensive play by shortstop Eom Jun-sang. In the bottom of the second, he struck out Chiu Sheng-an on a swinging strike, then retired Chen Po-kai on a fly out to left field. Fasoo Tagisriniyan also swung and missed on a 2-2 count for a strikeout to end the inning. The bottom of the third was clean with Chuan Yung-luo struck out looking, Chen Yao-chieh struck out swinging, and Hou Chien-lui flying out to left field. In the bottom of the fourth, Hyun-seung Ha issued a walk to lead-off hitter Liu Huan-wei, but induced a swinging strikeout from Chang I-an, and after catcher Won Ji-woo threw out a runner attempting to steal, he struck out No. 4 hitter Huang Syao on a swinging strike to end the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Ha struck out Chiu Sheng-an on three pitches, then struck out Chunbo-kai on a swinging strike, and Fasoo Tagisriniyan flew out to right field to easily end the inning. With Korea leading 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth, he struck out Chuan Yung-luo looking, then Chen Yao-chieh struck out looking, after which he gave up a hit to Hou Chien-lui, and with his pitch count reaching 90, he handed the mound over to Eom Jun-sang. Hyun-seung Ha, who attracted interest not only from domestic teams but also from overseas, including the U.S. Major League Baseball New York Yankees, has already chosen to remain in the country and plans to participate in the 2027 rookie draft. With Eom Jun-sang having completed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Hyun-seung Ha, regarded as the top high school prospect, is highly likely to wear the Kiwoom uniform after Kiwoom secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 KBO rookie draft last year by finishing last. Hyun-seung Ha once again proved his worth with a strong performance against formidable Taiwan. His impressive showing on the international stage has Kiwoom fans' expectations heating up. [OSEN]