Diamondbacks agree to terms with 2-way prospect from Korea, Jun-Sang Eom

PHOENIX — An 18-year-old, two-way prospect named Jun-Sang Eom sprayed line drives around Chase Field during early batting practice on Tuesday, getting acquainted with potential future Arizona Diamondbacks teammates, including Geraldo Perdomo.

Eom (pronounced uhm june-sung) agreed to terms with the Diamondbacks before their game against the Los Angeles Angels, joining the club’s 2026 international signing class from South Korea.

There’s a teenager hitting home runs at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks agreed to terms with Korean two-way prospect Jun-Sang Eom for the current 2026 international signing period. pic.twitter.com/3oOacmx3Cz

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) June 16, 2026

The deal included a $1.5 million bonus, which MLB insider Francys Romero first reported.

The teenager is a shortstop and a right-handed pitcher who was considered a top prospect in the upcoming Korean Baseball Organization draft. The Diamondbacks are more focused on his abilities as a hitter and defender than a pitcher, even with his ability to throw in the mid-90s mph.

His bat speed and ability to defend at shortstop, third base and second base were attractive traits for the club. 

“He’s a two-way player in Korea, but we saw him more as a position player,” Kyle Lee, who scouted Eom in Korea for the Diamondbacks, told Arizona Sports. “Playing shortstop, the fundamentals were amazing. The power and the contact ability as a hitter were very exciting.”

“I show a lot of leadership on the field and a lot of energy,” Eom described himself via Korean interpreter. “I encourage other teammates on the field and I would like to be a player, if someone watches me once, they’re going to remember.”

He will start his pro career with the Diamondbacks’ organization next spring training. He still has to graduate from high school and play in a few more tournaments back home. 

🇰🇷 Junsang Eom a man of many resources!
WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup presented by RAXUS#BaseballWorldCupU18 pic.twitter.com/0lbA6Sli32

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) September 12, 2025

Eom is fresh off winning the 2026 National High School Baseball Championship for Deoksu High School. He was named the MVP of the tournament after hitting .304 with one home run, eight RBIs and 7.1 innings pitched, according to WBSC.

He also represented Korea in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2025 as a 17-year-old.

“He’s a very talented player and very young,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “The tools are there. … I know he’s got a really good arm and he’s been pitching, I think we’re going to look at him as a shortstop for the most part.”

The Diamondbacks have only rostered one player born in South Korea in their history: former closer Byung-Hyun Kim.

“We’re hoping this translates to other Korean players wanting to come to Arizona,” Lee said.

Jun-Sang Eom’s tough decision to come to the Diamondbacks

Lee said the Diamondbacks have been scouting Eom for three years, and the two sides came to an agreement on a contract in May.

Eom, however, later turned down the deal. Twelve hours later, Eom’s father called Lee to say they changed their mind and wanted to join the Diamondbacks.

“The next day, right before his game, he kept on thinking about our offer and the possibility of playing in the major leagues,” Lee said, interpreting for Eom. “That’s why he called me to say he’s signing with us.”

Eom had never been to the United States before traveling in to sign his contract and was considering playing in the KBO, where Lee said he expected Eom to go first or second overall in the draft.

Committing to start minor league life at a young age in a new country is quite the leap of faith. Players have different paths to the big leagues, and several Korean talents like Jung-hoo Lee and Ha-seong Kim started as KBO stars who made the jump after establishing themselves.

As far as the two-way player possibility, Eom was committed to becoming the best shortstop and hitter he could be for the Diamondbacks. If the opportunity came up down the road to get back on the mound, he could consider that based on the situation.

“I like to play defense,” Eom said. “If possible, after succeeding as a position player, I have to see how I feel. And the velocity is a big thing when deciding if I’m going to go back to pitching. And the team’s agreement on this is really vital.”

After agreeing to sign with the Diamondbacks, Eom said he has spent time watching their highlights on Instagram to learn about the players, many of whom he met on Tuesday, which he called the most interesting day of his life.

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