By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Ha Ju-suk, former No. 1 overall draft pick in South Korean baseball, was traded Thursday.

The Hanwha Eagles dealt Ha to the Kia Tigers in exchange for reliever Lee Hyeong-beom, moments after defeating the Tigers 9-3 at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the southwestern city of Gwangju.

Ha, 32, was the top selection at the 2011 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) draft, but has not lived up to his hype over his 15-year career. The oft-injured player played more than 100 games in a season just five times.

He leaves the Eagles with a .268 career batting average in 997 games, along with 53 home runs and 373 RBIs.

Ha Ju-suk of the Hanwha Eagles takes a swing against the SSG Landers during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in the central city of Daejeon on April 30, 2026, in this file photo provided by the Eagles. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Ha has only played in 27 games in the KBO this year, putting up a .256 batting average with no home run and six RBIs. In 32 games in the minor league, Ha batted .327 in 32 games with a home run and 12 RBIs.

The longtime shortstop can also play second base, and the Tigers said they will bank on Ha's defensive versatility and experience.

The Tigers have not adequately filled their hole at shortstop after losing All-Star Park Chan-ho in free agency last winter.

The Eagles, who had a surplus of middle infielders, are receiving an experienced reliever that can add depth to their bullpen.

Lee, 32, has pitched to a 3.00 ERA in 19 appearances covering 24 innings this season.

Kia Tigers reliever Lee Hyeong-beom pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the southwestern city of Gwangju on July 22, 2026, in this photo provided by the Tigers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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