KBO announced the 35-member preliminary list of the Korean national team (Team Korea) to face the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ‘MLB World Tour Seoul Series 2024’ exhibition game ahead of the ‘MLB World Tour Seoul Series 2024’ on the afternoon of the 2nd.
KBO explained, “This preliminary roster selection consists of young players who have grown up by participating in the Hangzhou Asian Games and APBC held last year and gaining experience in international competitions. It is expected that young players who will lead the league in the future will play against outstanding players in the Major League and accumulate various experiences, showing their growth in the 2024 KBO League and international competitions such as Premier 12 and 2026 WBC (World Baseball Classic) in November.”
The 35 preliminary members of the “Team Korea” list announced by KBO consisted of 19 pitchers, 3 catchers, 8 infielders, and 5 outfielders, with Lotte having the largest number of five, NC, KIA, Hanwha and Kiwoom, three LG, KT, Doosan, two SSG, and one in Sangmu.
Starting with this special game, a full-time coach will be appointed within this month. Last year’s international competition was led by KT coach Lee Kang-chul, while the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and 2023 APBC were led by former coach Ryu Joong-il.
Lotte’s bright future is in sight. Lotte’s pitchers Na Kyun-an and Choi Jun-yong, catcher Son Sung-bin, infielder Han Dong-hee, and outfielder Yoon Dong-hee were included in the preliminary list. Son Sung-bin is a promising catcher who boasts amazing pop time and strong and accurate throwing that can be compared to those of the best in the Major League. Yoon already showed his international competitiveness at last year’s Asian Games. Despite the possibility of joining Sangmu during this season, Han Dong-hee left for a short-term training program at Kang Jung-ho Academy to develop further as a player. Attention is focusing on whether he will be able to show results against Major League pitchers.
NC, KIA, Hanwha, and Kiwoom produced four preliminary players, the second largest number. At NC, players who played in international competitions last year got another chance. Shin Min-hyuk, who has emerged as the third starting pitcher, Kim Young-kyu, catcher Kim Hyung-joon, and shortstop Kim Ju-won will mark the national team again. At KIA, all core resources of the pitching staff, including starter Lee Eui-ri, set-up man Choi Ji-min, and closing pitcher Jung Hae-young, are on the preliminary list. On top of that, Kim Do-young, who is drawing keen attention as the “second Lee Jong-beom,” is set to challenge to become a member of the national team again following APBC.
For Hanwha, Moon Dong-ju, who is likely to be the next national team ace, has once again been put on the preliminary list. The emergence of rookie Hwang Joon-seo is also a notable factor. In the fielders, home run king Noh Si-hwan and second-year Moon Hyun-bin were among the 35 preliminary players. In Kiwoom, Lee Ju-hyung’s selection of a special prospect Lee Ju-hyung, who gained through the Choi Won-tae trade, is notable. Lee Ju-hyung exploded his potential after being traded from LG to Kiwoom, finishing the season with a batting average of 0.326 and an OPS of 0.897 in 69 games.
The Seoul Series 2024 of the MLB World Tour will feature a total of six games, including four “special matches” featuring the LG Twins, the Kiwoom Heroes, and Team Korea, in addition to the two consecutive games that open on May 20 and 21. The Dodgers and Kiwoom at 12 p.m. on May 17, and Team Korea and San Diego at 7 p.m. on May 18. The two games will be held at Gocheok Sky Dome, which is undergoing full renovation due to the specifications of the Major League.
The opening first game between the Dodgers and San Diego, which started reservation on the 26th, sold out all seats in just eight minutes despite the high price of up to 700,000 won. With Shohei Ohtani, the world’s best baseball star, joining the most recognized Dodgers in Korea, interest in the opening series of Seoul began to flood. In addition, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Japan’s best pitcher and a new major league pitcher record, also wore a Dodgers uniform. The San Diego Padres added a new KBO League closing pitcher Ko Woo-seok, with Kim Ha-sung, the winner of the 2023 National League Golden Glove Utility Division, holding out.
BY: 온라인카지노
