Kia Tigers infielder Lee Ho-min received the Futures League Star Award at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Oct. 26, 2026, earning recognition for an amateur season that included a .420 batting percentage and eight home runs across his high school career, starnewskorea.com reported.
Awards Ceremony at the Korea Press Center
The fifth annual Futures League Star Award ceremony brought together roughly 100 attendees, including club officials, league representatives, and selection committee members at the Korea Press Center in Seoul’s Jung-gu district. starnewskorea.com reported that Lee received 1 million won in prize money and 1 million won in gift certificates as part of the baseball division honor.
Organized by Star News and sponsored by various sports bodies including the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the Korea Baseball Softball Association, the awards program highlights standout high school athletes across multiple sports. Selection committee members cited Lee’s balanced swing mechanics, high contact force, and defensive versatility at the corner infield positions.
Lee Impresses Scouts at Gyeongnam High School
During his final amateur season at Gyeongnam High School, Lee appeared in 20 games and recorded 29 hits in 69 at-bats for a .420 batting average. starnewskorea.com reported that his stat line included two home runs, 19 RBIs, eight walks, and a 1.132 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Lee also homered during the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship on the international stage, reinforcing scouting reports that pointed to his power projection and ability to drive balls to the gaps. That performance prompted the Kia Tigers to select him in the first round of the 2027 KBO rookie draft held on Sept. 21 at the Lottte Hotel World Crystal Ballroom in Seoul’s Songpa-gu district.
Adjusting to Professional Training Facilities
Following his selection and club assignment, Lee spent two days participating in team workouts before traveling to Seoul for the awards ceremony. starnewskorea.com reported that he noted immediate differences in daily infrastructure between high school and the professional ranks, pointing to specialized conditioning staff and recovery equipment.
Because Kia’s second-team players are participating in the Ulsan Education League, Lee has been training with the rehabilitation and developmental group. He rejoined the squad via an overnight train following the ceremony to resume morning workouts.
Addressing Comparisons to Franchise Stardom
Club personnel and observers have occasionally drawn parallels between Lee’s offensive profile and Kia infielder Kim Do-young, while others have noted stylistic similarities to manager Lee Beom-ho’s playing days. starnewskorea.com reported that Lee described those comparisons as excessive given his status as an unproven rookie.
“It seems they are comparing me to very great figures, and that is too much praise for me,” Lee said, according to starnewskorea.com. “To catch up to them, it seems I will need to put in much more effort moving forward.”
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