The KBO Technical Committee, including baseball team coach Lee Kang-cheol and Technical Committee Chairman Jo Beom-hyun, discussed the final 30-man list to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) at the KBO Hall in Dogok-dong on the 4th and finally announced it.

The final entry, which can be announced only by February 7th, was decided and notified by one month. It is a consideration that allows players to prepare for the tournament with a clearer sense of goal and personal schedule. The 30 players have already been notified that they have been included in the 35 ‘preliminary entries’, and it is said that they started preparing for 2023 early in their own way. With the responsibility of the Taegeuk mark, the rest of the winter is expected to be busy according to their own schedule. Players share the great proposition that they need to improve their condition quickly.

While the national team players were selected based on various criteria, there is an example showing that not all criteria are only the performance of the previous season. Right-hander Kim Won-joong (30‧Lotte) and left-hander Kang Baek-ho (24‧kt) are the basis for this. In fact, the two players were not that special in terms of their performance in the 2022 season. Rather, it can be seen that it did not live up to expectations. However, the national team selected two players.

Kim Won-joong, who was reborn as a league-top closer with 25 saves in 2020 and 35 saves in 2021, struggled somewhat until the middle of the season due to an injury last year. He went 2-3 with 17 saves and 2 holds with a 3.98 earned run average in 43 games. Kang Baek-ho, who seemed to continue to expand, took a big break in his rise last year. He only appeared in 62 games for the season, and had a batting average of just 0.245. His OPS, the sum of his on-base percentage and slugging percentage, remained at 0.683. It was not like Kang Baek-ho.

Of course, you have to think about the position, but looking at the results last season, there were players who had better records. However, the technical committee dropped the two players. Although it was sluggish last season, it means that I saw certain weapons and abilities that can be used on the international stage called WBC. Starting with director Lee Kang-cheol, he has spent the past four years as a director on the field. There is a sense of hidden abilities that are not revealed well by the players’ condition and records, and the rise of the players. 토토사이트

Kim Won-jung was sluggish until July, but his performance after August was very good. He may not be perfect, but he definitely feels like he’s finding his ball. He finished the season on good terms since August as he made 13 saves in 17 games. He can throw a fast ball, and here’s a surefire main weapon: the forkball. A clear breaking ball that falls in international competitions can exert great power.

National team coach Lee Kang-cheol also said, “I thought of the game against Australia as my top priority.” Kim Won-joong, who has a fastball and forkball combo, is a very suitable player for these selection criteria.

Kang Baek-ho is also a player worth sharpening. He is sweating hard to make up for his damaged pride last year, and even got a chance to compete in the WBC. Choi Ji-man can add to the team’s slugging power as a designated hitter rather than first baseman with Park Byung-ho. Director Lee explained, “The reason Kang Baek-ho came in was to strengthen the offense in the designated hitter position.” With the designated hitter position expected to be distributed according to the type of opposing pitcher, Kang Baek-ho must become a player who can balance left and right long hits so that the national team can easily manage the game.

He is a great opportunity to start the season in good spirits, as both players are trying to bounce back. Performance in the national team will be a source of pride for the players, and if they perform well, they will be able to start the season with strong confidence and momentum. Attention is focusing on whether the WBC competition will be a turning point in the careers of the two players.