Pair of Major Leaguers, KBO MVP highlight Korea roster
The previous two World Baseball Classic tournaments haven’t gone Korea’s manner. One of the world’s baseball powerhouses, Korea completed third and second within the first two tournaments, respectively, but it surely failed to flee the primary spherical in 2013 and ’17. Korea’s 2-1 loss to Israel in 2017 — maybe the largest upset in WBC historical past — was significantly jarring.
Japan might be nonetheless the favourite in Pool B, which is able to start play on March 9, however the hole is small. Don’t be stunned if 2023 is the 12 months Korea lifts the World Baseball Classic trophy in Miami.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Team Korea. Within every place, gamers are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB group famous in parentheses.
Catchers: Ji-Young Lee, Eui-ji Yang
There are stars throughout the diamond for Korea, and it begins at catcher. Yang is arguably the perfect catcher within the KBO, successful the KBO League Golden Glove Award 5 occasions and amassing the Korean Series MVP Award in 2016 and ’20. Now 35 years previous and set to return to the Doosan Bears within the spring, Yang has a profession .307/.389/.504 batting line and 228 dwelling runs — topping 20 dwelling runs in a season eight occasions.
Though Lee does not have the bat that Yang does — his 16 profession dwelling runs are fewer than Yang has hit in any season since 2018 — the 36-year-old will present loads of veteran assist behind the dish whilst he makes his World Baseball Classic debut.
Infielders: Jeong Choi, Tommy Edman (Cardinals), Baek-Ho Kang, Ha-Seong Kim (Padres), Hye-Seong Kim, Ji-Hwan Oh, ByungHo Park
Korea might have the perfect middle-infield duo within the match. Edman and Ha-Seong Kim recurrently flip in jaw-dropping spotlight reel performs, combining for +27 defensive outs above common in response to Statcast final season. While they’re going to present the leather-based, Choi and Park will deliver loads of energy to the corners.
Choi is second all-time within the KBO with 429 dwelling runs, bashing 26 lengthy balls final 12 months for the KBO champion SSG Landers. Don’t be stunned if he will get on base just a few occasions with a hit-by-pitch: Jeong is the worldwide chief with 313 profession HBP. Across the diamond, former Twins first baseman Park — who’s fourth all-time in KBO homers (349) — will assist maintain down the center of the lineup. Park led the KBO with 35 dwelling runs final 12 months.
Outfielders: Ji-Hoon Choi, Hyun Soo Kim, Jung-Hoo Lee, Sung-Bum Na, Hae-Min Park, Kun-Woo Park
Get prepared to listen to the title Jung-Hoo Lee loads over the following 12 months. Lee had a completely monster season final 12 months, main the KBO in common (.349), RBIs (113), hits (193) and OBP (.421) en path to being named the 2022 MVP. Set to be posted to the Majors after this season, Lee might use the World Baseball Classic to turn into a global sensation — earlier than turning into the highest non-Shohei Ohtani free agent subsequent winter.
Just like all over the place else on the diamond, there’s loads of pop within the outfield. Kim — who performed for the Orioles and Phillies in 2016-17 — and Na will man the corners and have 235 and 233 KBO homers, respectively. Kun-Woo Park, in the meantime, is a .327 profession hitter and completed third within the batting title race (.336) final 12 months.
Choi was the final addition to the roster, changing Ji-Man Choi as he is recovering from surgical procedure. Known for his velocity and glove, Choi will most probably be used as a late-inning defensive substitute.
Pitchers: Woo-Suk Go, Been Gwak, Cheol-Won Jeong, Woo-Young Jung, Kwang Hyun Kim^, Won-Jung Kim, Yun-Sik Kim^, Young-Pyo Ko, Chang-Mo Koo^, Yong-Chan Lee, Eui-Lee Lee^, Se-Woong Park, Hyeong-Jun So, Tae-in Won, Hyeon-Jong Yang^
Manager Kang-chul Lee stated that he constructed his rotation to induce loads of floor balls — hey, would not you do the identical with Edman and Kim within the center infield? — however do not be fooled: This workers can dominate.
Former Cardinals starter Kwang-Hyun Kim completed second for the KBO ERA title (2.13), 20-year-old Eui-Lee Lee completed fourth with 161 Okay’s and 21-year-old Hyeong-Jun So has already pitched three seasons within the KBO, amassing the 2020 Rookie of the Year Award when he was simply 18 years previous. Been Gwak, 23, is among the hardest throwers within the KBO, and he struck out practically a batter-per-inning final season, whereas left-handed starter Chang-Mo Koo would have received the ERA title (2.10) had he thrown sufficient innings to qualify.
Don’t anticipate Korea to blow many leads both: Setup man Cheol-Won Jeong received the 2022 Rookie of the Year Award after posting a 3.10 ERA and surrendering simply 4 homers in 72 2/3 innings, whereas Woo-Suk Go will most probably shut after posting a 1.48 ERA and main the KBO with 42 saves final season. Yong-Chan Lee (2.08 ERA, 22 SV) ought to decide up some late-inning work, as nicely.
^ Denotes left-handed pitcher
