Ahn Hyun-min's big home run → Kim Do-young's double bam!' The WBC sketch has been drawn, and the head coach is also satisfied. "No. 2 Ahn Hyun-min is doing his part enough."" [Onnason site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The outline of the top batting order of the Korean national baseball team led by Ryu Ji-hyun (55) was revealed. 2024 KBO MVP Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers) will support Ahn Hyun-min (23, KT Wiz), the 2025 KBO Rookie of the Year.

The national team lost to the Samsung Lions 3-4 at Akama Stadium in Onnason, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 20th. Both teams focused on coordinating their sense of practice in their first practice game. Regardless of the victory or defeat, the team played until the 7th inning. National team pitchers ended the inning after the at-bat if they exceeded 20 per inning, and Samsung pitchers decided not to exceed 30 per inning.

The most anticipated condition was that Ahn Hyun-min and Kim Do-young were the same age. The two, who were nominated for the 2022 KBO Rookie Draft, are friends of the same age born in 2003. Both of them won the MVP in 2024 and Ahn Hyun-min won the Rookie of the Year in 2025 with fast feet and long balls.

Overall, it wasn't bad. Ahn Hyun-min, who started as the second batter and right fielder, connected Samsung starter Choi Won-tae's fastball to a 122m long-range solo shot in the top of the first inning with one out. Since then, he has struck out, reached base due to a shortstop error, and walked three times with one hit in two at-bats (one home run), one walk, and one RBI.

Kim Do-young stepped up as the third and designated hitter and was also on second base with one hit and one walk in three at-bats. In his first at-bat in the first inning, he opened the scoring with a sharp double that passed by the third base. He walked to base in the fourth inning and was withdrawn in the sixth inning due to catcher foul flyout. The last at-bat in the seventh inning was disappointing. No. 9 Park Hae-min hit and No. 2 Ahn Hyun-min walked and ended the inning by hitting a double play with a ground ball in front of the shortstop.

After the game, coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "There must have been an unfamiliarity in the at-bat because it was the first game today. The fast-line pitch species seemed to have adapted quickly, but overall, there was a lack of balance or sensation in responding to the breaking ball. Still, I think it will naturally improve if you play the game over and over again," he said.

Since the K-baseball series in November last year, coach Ryu Ji-hyun has pursued a "strong No. 2" strategy by using Ahn Hyun-min, who has both long-shot power and main strength, as the top batting order. It is a familiar appointment in the U.S. Major League Baseball, and it is to send out more of the best hitters in the team.

The more often Ahn Hyun-min gets on base and Kim Do-young calls in, the more likely the national team will advance to the upper round. Head coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "Ahn Hyun-min was used as the second batter since the warm-up match in November last year, and he played his part enough. "If I'm in a normal condition, I think I'll play a role in connecting at the top of the batting order," he hinted. When asked by reporters, "Can I see Ahn Hyun-min as a strong second hitter?" he replied, "I can't say for sure, but I'm looking at the moment as the best lineup."

The mound was also inspected. Starter So Hyung-joon allowed three hits and two strikeouts in two innings, Jung Woo-joo allowed four hits (one homer) in one ⅔, one walk, one strikeout and three runs, and Noh Kyung-eun allowed two hits and one run in one inning. Cho Hyung-joon reached a maximum of 145 kilometers per hour and Jung Woo-joo reached a maximum of 151 kilometers based on the electronic display. "Jung Woo-ju's first and second innings were a bit different in speed," Ryu said. "In the background, there will be tension in the first game as well as stamina." That's why I'm playing. I think we need to continue to prepare and manage it in the future," he said.

KT pitchers finished the game. Ko Young-pyo, who took the mound in the sixth inning, blocked one inning with a perfect strikeout without hitting and walking. Park Young-hyun, who came up last, finished the game with two hits and no runs in one inning even though he was not arrested.

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said, "I could feel that Cho Hyung-joon and Ko Young-pyo were in the best condition on the pitcher's side. Among the hitters, Ahn Hyun-min, Park Dong-won and Park Hae-min seemed to have a good balance," he said. "Park Young-hyun had no problem in the bullpen at all. The bullpen pitchers who took the mound today (including today) will take the mound in four games in eight practice games and match the game on March 5. I believe it will get better and better by then," he said, dismissing concerns.

He also did not forget to thank the Samsung and the South Korean military athletic unit (Sangju) for their overall care for the national team game. The national team, which had difficulty playing the Blue and White games due to a series of recent injuries, was able to play the game on the same day with five players supported by Sangmu. Instead of Kim Do-young, who played as a designated hitter, Kim Ho-jin took the defense on third base.

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said, "I am grateful for the cooperation between Samsung and Sangmu. All KBO clubs are actively helping the national team. Samsung also sent out controlling pitchers to help us boost our sense of play. I think it will help a lot," he said.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.