Korean national team begins preparations for 2023 WBC

The majority of the Korea baseball squad for the 2023 World Baseball Classic gathered at a hotel in Seoul on Monday to begin preparations for the tournament that kicks off in March.

From left: Korean national team pitcher Go Woo-suk, manager Lee Kang-chul, catcher Yang Eui-ji and infielder Kim Ha-seong pose for a photo during a press conference after the national team orientation session at a hotel in southern Seoul on Monday. [NEWS1]

The majority of the Korea baseball squad for the 2023 World Baseball Classic gathered at a hotel in Seoul on Monday to begin preparations for the tournament that kicks off in March.

Head coach Lee Kang-chul told the 19 available players from the 30-strong roster to “get themselves into the best physical shape possible” and “leave the tournament without any regrets.”

Lee held a press conference after the orientation session accompanied by infielder Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres, catcher Yang Eui-ji of the Doosan Bears and pitcher Go Woo-suk of the LG Twins.

"People say we are in a tough spot,” Lee said, “but this team will try to use the WBC as an opportunity to turn things around. “We have a good balance of veterans and young players. We'll try to play as many games as possible."

Korea was drawn in Group B at the tournament alongside Japan, Australia, China and the Czech Republic.

Korea finished third at the 2006 tournament and second at the 2009 edition, but crashed out of the opening rounds in 2013 and 2017. That trend has also been obvious at the Olympics, where Korea finished third in 2000 and won in 2008, but dropped to fourth in 2020.

"I've struggled in recent tournaments, and I am going into this WBC thinking it will be my last one," said Yang, who has been at the core of the Korean national team for more than a decade. "There were times at past tournaments when I wasn't physically ready. This time, I will let the results speak for themselves."

Yang is the KBO’s most experienced catcher, but has played an increasingly offensive role in recent years. More concerned about his pitchers than batters, Lee said he would consider using Yang in a more defensive role at the WBC.

"We have a lot of young pitchers, and Yang will have to be the leader for them," Lee said. "And if he'd rather bat down in the lineup, then we'll accommodate that. His primary job will be to lead the way for our young pitchers."

Kim, who has proven to be a defensive powerhouse in the majors, is expected to partner up with St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove winner Tommy Edman for a deadly double play duo in the infield.

"Edman is a complete package,” Kim said. “He can hit, he can play defense, and he runs the bases really well.

"I don't even have to say much about his defense. And as a switch hitter, he's going to help us a lot at the plate. Once he gets on base, he's going to keep opposing catchers on their toes with his base running."

Edman, who has a Korean mother and an American father, will be the first half-Korean to represent Korea at the WBC. Unlike other major international tournaments, the World Baseball Softball Confederation allows players to represent the country of their parents’ birth, regardless of whether they are citizens there or not.

Kim and Edman are two of the three big leaguers in the squad, alongside Choi Ji-man of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Four former MLB players also made the roster: Pitchers Kim Kwang-hyun, formerly of the Cardinals, and Yang Hyeon-jong, formerly of the Texas Rangers, infielder Park Byung-ho, formerly of the Minnesota Twins, and outfielder Kim Hyun-soo, who played for both the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies.

Alongside the three major leaguers, Choi Jung of the SSG Landers, Kim Hye-song of the Kiwoom Heroes, Oh Ji-hwan of the LG Twins and Park Byung-ho and Kang Baek-ho of the KT Wiz complete the infield.

The outfield unsurprisingly includes reigning KBO MVP Lee Jung-hoo of the Heroes alongside LG’s Kim Hyun-soo and Park Hae-min, the Kia Tigers’ Na Sung-bum and the NC Dinos’ Park Kun-woo.

Yang is likely to take the prime spot behind the plate, with Lee Ji-young of the Heroes in the No. 2 spot.

The pitchers break down into 10 right-handers and five southpaws, with Kim Kwang-hyun of the Landers and Yang of the Tigers joined by Kim Yun-sik of the Twins, Lee Eui-lee of the Tigers and Koo Chang-mo of the Dinos on the left-hand list.

Go leads the right handers, alongside Jung Woo-young of the Twins, Ko Young-pyo and So Hyeong-jun of the Wiz, Lee Yong-chan of the Dinos, Won Tae-in of the Samsung Lions, Kim Won-jung and Park Se-woong of the Lotte Giants and Gwak Been and Jeong Cheol-won of the Bears.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]