Draft (2)
“Suwon Wiz selects Nam Tae-hyung from Jemulpo High.”
“Gwangju Tigers pick Choi Jun-won from Seoul High.”
“Busan Giants select Han Seung-hyun from Hyocheon High.”
“Seoul Bears select Jo Su-jin from Gukgeon University.”
“Incheon Wyverns pick Lim Jin-seok from Seoul High.”
“Seoul Twins select Yoo Jae-woong from Chungam High.”
“Daejeon Eagles select Kim Jae-hyuk from Hongin University.”
The new team Suwon Wiz, which hadn't played last year, was automatically ranked 10th and picked first. Then the selections proceeded one by one in order.
65 picks, 70, 75. There were still so many players I hadn't seen.
But already the 4th-place team from last year, Daejeon Eagles, had finished their pick, and now it was right up to our turn after Changwon Dinosaurs.
“Changwon Dinosaurs select Jeong Su-bin from Busan High.”
As each preceding team made their pick, the GM and scout team crossed off names one by one. The pitchers we'd targeted first were getting snatched away.
It seemed most scout teams thought alike—they'd taken Kim Jae-hyuk, Han Seung-hyun, Yoo Jae-woong, and Jeong Su-bin, the ones we'd wanted.
Our only option left was Ahn Seok-hyun.
After Changwon Dinosaurs picked, it was our turn. As the scout team leader reached for the mic,
“Hold on, Team Leader. Not Ahn Seok-hyun.”
“Pardon? What do you... Everyone else is taken. Ahn Seok-hyun's all we've got.”
The Ahn Seok-hyun I'd seen was like Kim Jae-nam. Current ability 28, potential 30—he seemed decent now, but no room to grow further.
“Not Ahn Seok-hyun... ”
We hadn't nabbed any standout talents yet, but scanning my notes for the most promising ones among those whose status windows I'd checked,
Pitcher, 26, 58, Jeon Sang-hyuk.
Jeon Sang-hyuk had the highest potential of anyone I'd seen so far.
“Let's go with Jeon Sang-hyuk. From Sangwon High.”
“Ah... He's not bad, but Ahn Seok-hyun for sure.”
“Gocheok Heroes. Time to pick.”
The announcer urged us since we were holding things up. Teams got about two minutes each, but early rounds moved fast with many left.
“Team Leader, I'm serious. Jeon Sang-hyuk.”
“Ugh... This... Really... No...”
As I pushed, Go Hyeong-woong, the scout leader, looked troubled.
I turned to the GM. “You know none of my picks so far have been duds, right? Go with Jeon Sang-hyuk.”
“Heh heh...”
“Gocheok Heroes?”
The announcer prodded from the side, and murmurs rippled through the crowd as we bickered in the first round.
“Fine... Do whatever, Manager. But you take responsibility.”
“Got it.”
With the scout leader's okay, I grabbed the mic. “Gocheok Heroes select Jeon Sang-hyuk from Sangwon High.”
As we called Jeon Sang-hyuk, I spotted the defending champs, Daegu Lions, brighten up.
“Daegu Lions pick Ahn Seok-hyun from Seongnam High. Straight to round 2? We select Kim Seung-hyuk from Gukgeon University.”
As last year's first-place team, Daegu Lions picked last in odd rounds but first in even ones, so they called two at once.
“Ugh... We should've taken Ahn Seok-hyun.”
The scout leader sighed as they snapped him up right after we passed.
“It's fine. Jeon Sang-hyuk's solid.”
“Next, Ahn Jang-hoon.”
“No, Choi Sang-young.”
“Choi Sang-young? Hmm... Alright, him.”
The scout leader had Ahn Jang-hoon in mind, but I chose Choi Sang-young—potential 48, not bad. He wasn't starter lineup material for my vision, but that was all there was here. The scout leader accepted since Choi was on his list too. Maybe my earlier push had bruised his ego a bit.
After picking, I scanned the rest quickly. Among them, I finally spotted a solid one.
Batter, 25, 65, Hong Sang-gi.
“What about this guy after us?”
“Hong Sang-gi? Not bad... Yeah, let's do it.”
The scout leader agreed it was decent just as
“Seoul Twins select Hong Sang-gi from Gukgeon University.”
They picked him right before us. He had the highest potential left—most regrettable.
Without him, nothing worth taking remained.
“I think that's enough for me.”
“Ah... Yeah, go ahead.”
The scout leader seemed relieved I was leaving and shooed me off.
No point wasting time here, so I stood and headed out.
Picks continued after I left.
Outside the draft hall, tons of players watched TV desperately. Plenty came uninvited, hearts full of hope. Monitors showed the inside too.
Way more players outside than in—scanning them all would've been pointless anyway. I'd already left, and staring at 100+ status windows nonstop had strained my eyes and worn me out. First time seeing so many that fast.
Then I saw an old grandma praying fervently, hands clasped before a monitor. Beside her, a boy rubbed her shoulder, holding her hand.
I glanced at his status window absentmindedly—her earnest face drew me.
Name: Shin Ha-jin
Age: 19
Position: Right-handed overhand, Starter, Relay Optimal Position: Starter
Stamina: 90 / 100
Current / Potential Ability: 30 / 75
Detailed abilities private.
Growth Potential: Fully recovered from injury—high growth potential.
Mental: Wants to answer his grandma's earnest prayers.
Note: Private.
?? What? Why isn't a guy like this even invited to the draft hall?
The thought hit me—I bolted back inside.
“Now for round 10 picks.”
Daegu Lions went next. Our turn.
I sprinted toward our team, ignoring stares.
“Wha—what the?”
They yelped, thinking an intruder.
“Huh? Manager didn't leave?”
“Round 10 not announced yet?”
“Yeah, just about to. Why?”
“Shin Ha-jin. Has he been picked?”
“Shin Ha-jin? Who's that?”
With 1,000+ nominees, names alone were tough. I rifled through papers.
“Uh... Gocheok Heroes' turn?”
The announcer looked dazed at the chaos.
“Gocheok Heroes call timeout.”
I snatched the mic. “Ah... Yes, okay. Gocheok Heroes gets three minutes.”
Other teams gawked. Timeout in round 10? Not even early rounds.
I flipped pages fast—thankfully alphabetical.
Damn, two Shin Ha-jins.
“Shit... Which? Age... Age!”
One 19, one 23—college grad.
“This one. Shin Ha-jin from Hwimun High.”
“Him? Never picked before... Ah! No, not him.”
“Why?”
“I've seen him a few times. Flashed in freshman year, then shoulder surgery tanked him. Weak durability—out two years post-op, rehabbing now. Can't play high school ball two years? He's done.”
“His shoulder's fully healed. Already recovered.”
“How would you know?”
The scout leader's question stumped me.
“Ah... Tip from someone I know.”
“You didn't... take a bribe?”
He asked cautiously; the GM looked suspicious too. My actions today were odd.
Damn... My credibility wasn't enough to flash the draft hall like this.
“Absolutely not. It's round 10 anyway. Just pick him? I take full responsibility.”
“Ugh... Fine. Whatever.”
I saw Go Hyeong-woong click his tongue.
Grabbing the mic again, “Gocheok Heroes' round 10 pick is Shin Ha-jin from Hwimun High.”
Other teams followed. My first draft ended.
Shallow pool—no miracles, but snagging Shin Ha-jin felt lucky.
Heading out with GM and scout leader, I saw Shin Ha-jin and his grandma sobbing in each other's arms. Tears of joy at the round 10 call.
But many unpicked players wept too. Pro world was brutal. Only 110 selected from 1,200 via primary draft.
Countless dreams crushed at pro threshold. Compared to that, my own nomination with zero talent was pure luck.
“Manager, you really crossed a line today.”
Go Hyeong-woong spoke as I watched Shin Ha-jin. Too many eyes in the hall earlier; now he unloaded.
“Ah... Sorry. No excuses to you, Team Leader. I take responsibility for today's picks. They'll prove themselves.”
“Ugh... Fine. I'll watch.”
Me, the manager, apologizing humbly—he couldn't push more, just nodded.
Best way forward: Develop these picks and show him.