KBO Opens 2027 Rookie Draft Applications for Overseas and Dropout Players

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has begun accepting applications for its 2027 rookie draft, opening the door for players with overseas experience and those who have dropped out of high school or college to register. The application period will remain open until August 7.

To be eligible, players must hold South Korean nationality. The KBO has outlined specific criteria, excluding players who were eligible for the draft in their high school or college graduation year. However, players who signed with foreign professional teams without registering with a Korean professional club, overseas amateur or professional players without prior registration in Korean baseball, or those who dropped out of their registered high school or university are eligible. Additionally, players who have not been registered with the KBO but have played at least one game in the past year for an independent league team or a Futures League participating club can also apply.

Notably, players who have previously participated in the KBO rookie draft under these special eligibility criteria cannot reapply. Interested applicants must register through the KBO's rookie draft player registration system website, complete the application, and submit necessary documents by mail. The postmark date of August 7 will be the final deadline for mailed submissions.

Following a review of submitted documents, the KBO will proceed with tryouts on September 1 for eligible candidates. The specific time and location for the tryouts will be announced separately to the selected participants.