WBC-bound slugger, reliever trying to put bad Olympic memories behind

TUCSON -- As international performances go, South Korea had a dismal showing at the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament in 2021, finishing fourth in a six-nation tournament despite being seen as a strong medal contender. Two Korea Baseball Organization players in particular, first baseman Kang Baek-ho and reliever Go Woo-suk had a tournament they'd rather forget. Some two years later, they are trying to put those memories behind as they gear up for the World Baseball Classic, whose opening r

Feb. 21, 2023

S. Korea defeats KBO club Tigers in WBC tuneup

TUCSON-- South Korean bats stayed hot and young pitchers put in a solid day's work, as the national team enjoyed its second straight scrimmage victory Sunday in the buildup to next month's World Baseball Classic. South Korea pounded out 19 hits to defeat the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization 12-6 at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Nine pitchers worked an inning apiece in this informal game, where pitchers were allowed to meet their pitch count target, r

Feb. 20, 2023

MLB hopeful Lee Jung-hoo trying to block out distractions in WBC buildup

TUCSON -- South Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo has had many watchful eyes of major league scouts following his moves this week, as he is gearing up for next month's World Baseball Classic with an opportunity to move to Major League Baseball next year on the horizon. The reigning MVP in the Korea Baseball Organization said Saturday here that he has been trying to stay focused, with some helpful tips offered by his uber-agent, Scott Boras. "I've been told that major league clubs hav

Feb. 19, 2023

Sidearm pitcher for S. Korea brimming with confidence after 1st pre-WBC scrimmage

TUCSON -- Of seven South Korean pitchers to take the mound in their first scrimmage before the World Baseball Classic here on Thursday, sidearmer Ko Young-pyo threw the fewest pitches with 16. He wasn't just the most efficient one, as seven pitchers each worked an inning. Ko was also the sharpest, as he struck out two and pitched around a hit by the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. South Korea prevailed 8-2. In international

Feb. 17, 2023

S. Korean players wary of Japanese sluggers at WBC

TUCSON -- Japan has no shortage of star power as world No. 1 in baseball and a title favorite at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani is a transcendent two-way phenom, and San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish can dominate any lineup with his impressive arsenal of pitches. From the domestic league, Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami is coming off a 56-homer campaign. South Korean catcher Yang Eui-ji, however, is keeping a close eye on another

Feb. 16, 2023

Veteran pitcher eager to learn from younger teammates at WBC

TUCSON-- Young pitchers on the South Korean national team for the World Baseball Classic have said they grew up admiring Yang Hyeon-jong, the MVP-winning left-hander for the Kia Tigers and now captain of the national team pitching staff. Yang, who will be 35 by the start of the big tournament in March, may be in the position to lead, but Yang said Tuesday he also wants to learn from his younger teammates. "These young guys are fearless on the mount. I want to learn everything from them,&q

Feb. 15, 2023

Leaner and meaner, Padres infielder Kim Ha-seong ready to attack fastballs in Year 3

LOS ANGELES -- In his second major league season in 2022, San Diego Padres infielder Kim Ha-seong was named a finalist for the National League Gold Glove at shortstop. He didn't win the big prize but earned wide acclaim as one of the game's top defenders. And for Year 3, Kim would like his hitting to catch up to his fielding. To that end, Kim has changed both his body and his swing. "I've cut down on some fat and added muscle, and I've also simplified my swing," Kim

Feb. 14, 2023

Pirates' Choi Ji-man says 'deeply hurt' to be dropped from WBC team

The Pittsburgh Pirates' South Korean first baseman Choi Ji-man said Monday he was "deeply hurt" to miss out on a chance to represent the country at the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC), saying the club's decision to block his participation for medical reasons disappointed him.    Earlier in the day, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) had announced it had cut Choi from the 30-man roster for the WBC, after the "medical objection" submitted by the Pirates ha

Feb. 6, 2023

Braves minor leaguer Park Hoy-jun not invited to spring training

A long winter for Atlanta Braves minor leaguer Park Hoy-jun has just gotten longer, as the South Korean utility player did not earn an invitation to the Braves' spring training. The Braves announced a list of 26 non-roster invitees to their big league camp on Wednesday, with 11 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders and five outfielders set to battle those on the 40-man roster for major league jobs. Park was not invited to camp. He joined the Braves organization in December in a trade from

Feb. 2, 2023

Teen pitcher Shim Jun-seok officially signs with Pirates in dream-come-true moment

His deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates now official, South Korean pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok has realized his dream. "It's been my dream to play in the United States," Shim was quoted as saying by MLB.com, during his introduction as a new member of the Pirates' international class at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Thursday. "I wanted to pursue my dream to come here and play baseball." The Pirates announced their signing of Shim, a product of Seoul-based Duksoo High Sc

Jan. 27, 2023

Key reliever more excited than nervous ahead of WBC debut

The top closer in South Korean baseball last year will make his World Baseball Classic debut in March. But if Go Woo-suk is feeling nervous, he isn't telling anyone. "There is still a lot of time left. Rather than feeling any sort of pressure, I am excited more than anything else," Go said at a national team press conference in Seoul on Monday. "Every time I play wearing the national flag, it gets my heart pumping." Go led the Korea Baseball Organization with 42 saves la

Jan. 17, 2023

S. Korean teen pitching prospect signs with Pirates

Shim Jun-seok, a highly touted South Korean teen pitching prospect, has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates confirmed their agreement with Shim as part of 22 free agent signings Sunday, when the 2023 international signing period opened. The Pirates had a base signing pool of $5,825,500, Shim, a hard-throwing right-hander out of Duksoo High School in Seoul, had skipped last year's rookie draft for the Korea Baseball Organization in hopes of signing with a major league club. The 1

Jan. 16, 2023

Veteran catcher has complete faith in nat'l team pitching staff for WBC

Before he begins the new season back with his old team in the South Korean league in April, veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji will go on a personal redemption tour at the World Baseball Classic in March. Yang, one of the best catchers in Korea Baseball Organization history, was among the no-brainer picks for the big tournament in Tokyo. For the 35-year-old, this could be the last chance to represent the country. For all his success in the KBO, Yang hasn't been nearly as productive in internationa

Jan. 12, 2023

Natl. baseball team for WBC to meet for first time Monday

Players and coaching staff of the national baseball team for this year's World Baseball Classic will hold their first meeting next Monday in Seoul. The Korea Baseball Organization said Wednesday manager Lee Kang-chul and players currently training in South Korea will gather at a Seoul hotel for an orientation and a press conference. They will pick up their uniforms and go over tournament rules, among other things. Players have been asked to arrive by 11 a.m. Monday. Lee and four players, to

Jan. 11, 2023

S. Korea manager wants Pirates 1B Choi Ji-man on board for WBC after surgery

On South Korea's 30-man roster for this year's World Baseball Classic, the status of Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Choi Ji-man is the one big question mark. Following an offseason elbow operation, Choi will need permission from his new club to represent the country at the March tournament. South Korea's manager, Lee Kang-chul, doesn't want to have to resort to plan B. Last week, Lee selected Choi for the WBC, even though Choi is still recovering from a November elbow surge

Jan. 10, 2023

Veteran slugger wants to end intl. career on high note at WBC

SUWON-- Entering his age-37 season, KT Wiz slugger Park Byung-ho sees this year's World Baseball Classic as his final international tournament. And he wants to make the most of the opportunity. "Considering my age and the schedule for upcoming international events, I don't think I will get to play for the country after this," Park said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, some 35 kilometers south of Seoul, on Friday. "I don't want to ha

Jan. 9, 2023

Veteran third baseman feeling mixed emotions after third WBC selection

When South Korean third baseman Choi Jeong was chosen for the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 2009, he felt like a kid in a candy store, simply excited to be playing for the country against major league stars. Fourteen years have passed. Choi, a month and a half from his 36th birthday, will be one of South Korea's oldest players at this year's WBC. Choi's selection, announced Wednesday, brought a different set of emotions to the SSG Landers veteran. "Back then, I

Jan. 6, 2023

With injuries behind, left-hander 'can't wait to pitch' in WBC

South Korean pitcher Koo Chang-mo has been as unlucky with injuries as he has been great on the mound. One of the country's top starters in recent years, Koo was forced to miss international action lately because of untimely injuries. The stars have finally aligned for the 25-year-old this year, as Koo is gearing up for the World Baseball Classic in March. In a phone conversation with Yonhap News Agency on Thursday, one day after being named to the 30-man national team, Koo said he is on th

Jan. 6, 2023

KBO legend Lee Seung-yuop wants focus on players in first season as manager

In the 2023 season in South Korean baseball, perhaps no manager will be under as much spotlight and scrutiny as the Doosan Bears' first-year skipper, Lee Seung-yuop. It comes with the territory of being one of the greatest players in Korea Baseball Organization history. Lee is the league's career home run leader with 467 and also owns the single-season record with 56 from the 2003 season. He is also the only five-time regular season most valuable player in league history. All eyes will

Jan. 4, 2023

Big leaguers expected to join KBO stars for S. Korea at World Baseball Classic

A handful of current and former big leaguers should join domestic league stars when South Korea announces its roster for the World Baseball Classic this week. The Korea Baseball Organization is scheduled to unveil the national team roster for the March 8-21 tournament on Wednesday. As of Tuesday morning, however, it hadn't been determined whether national team manager Lee Kang-chul will announce the 35-man provisional roster or the 30-man final roster on Wednesday, well ahead of the Feb. 7

Jan. 3, 2023