*This content was translated by AI.
Roh Si-hwan (Hanwha) was excluded, and Shay Witcom (Houston) was in charge of the main shortstop, not Kim Joo-won (NC). The choice focused on strengthening the lineup was right at the beginning of the game.
The Korean national baseball team, led by head coach Ryu Ji-hyun (55), played an exhibition match against the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese professional baseball league (NPB) at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan on the 2nd.
South Korea has set up a starting lineup with Kim Do-young (third baseman, KIA), Germay Jones (left fielder, Detroit), Lee Jung-hoo (right wing, San Francisco), Shay Witcom (striker), Moon Bo-kyung (first baseman, LG), Ahn Hyun-min (designated hitter, KT), Kim Hye-sung (second baseman, LA Dodgers), Park Dong-won (catcher) and Park Hae-min (middle fielder, LG). The starting pitcher is Kwak Bin (Doosan).
The absence of Noh Si-hwan and Kim Joo-won attracts attention. Kim Do-young, who is relatively poor in defense, came out to third base, and Witcom, not a professional shortstop, was chosen. It may not be seen as an elite lineup, but it can be seen as a combination put forward for verification as the strongest offensive combination. If it is judged that there is no problem, it could be a lineup that can be brought to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) group stage, which will be held from the 5th.
Japan is starting pitcher Hiroto Saiki, who ranked first in the league with 12-6 losses and 1.55 ERA last year.
Coach Ryu Ji-hyun's choice led to a big effect at the beginning of the game. Kim Do-young boldly swung the bat from the first pitch and got on base with an infield hit, and Jones stepped down with a fly ball to center field, but Lee Jung-hoo hit a heavy hit.
Witcom stepped down with a catcher foul fly, but Moon Bo-kyung brought Kim Do-young home with a hit, followed by Ahn Hyun-min making another run with a sharp double that separated the left-field line.
It was the result of increasing the performance in the WBC group stage in that it did not difficult to target the pitcher's ball, which is also drawing attention in Japan.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
