Head coach Ryu Jung-il and national baseball team chairman Cho Kye-hyun have finally settled on two catchers.
The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) announced its final roster for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games on 9 September. Twelve pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders and three outfielders have been selected for the 24-man roster.
Among the 12 pitchers are right-handed pitchers Ko Woo-seok, Jung Woo-young (LG), Park Young-hyun (KT), Won Tae-in (Samsung), Na Kyun-an and Park Se-woong (Lotte), Kwak Bin (Doosan), Moon Dong-joo (Hanwha) and Jang Hyun-seok (Masan Yongmago). Among the left-handed pitchers were Lee Yi-ri, Choi Ji-min (KIA) and Koo Chang-mo (NC).안전놀이터
Among the catchers, Kim Dong-heon (Kiwoom) and Kim Hyung-joon (NC) were selected. “I thought a lot about it,” said Cho Gye-hyun during the selection process.
The composition of the catchers is very important. Not only do they have to be able to hit, but they also have to be a ground commander, leading the pitchers steadily on the international stage. Experience, as well as the ability and form they have shown in the past, must be considered.
Cho and Ryu chose Kim Hyung-jun, a six-year pro, and Kim Dong-heon, a rookie.
Cho said, “Kim Hyung-jun’s performance before the army has proven his ability. And Kim Dong-heon is still young, but he has shown promise. Looking at the future, it’s not a bad idea to develop him,” he explained.
Kim Hyung-jun has been playing in the Futures League this season after being discharged from the army. Although he is only batting 7-for-7 in five games, he has gained experience in the 2020 season, including a 3-for-6, three-homer, 11-RBI performance in 44 games before joining the team.
After the announcement of the roster, Kim Hyung-jun said, “I honestly didn’t expect to be selected because I didn’t play many games while undergoing surgery and rehabilitation after being discharged from the military last year, but I feel very honoured to be selected. I will do my best to prepare my body well before the Asian Games so that I can regain the good feeling I had before and play in good condition.”
Rookie catcher Kim Dong-heon has been a regular in his first professional season. Despite being a backup, he is showing signs of improvement, batting 2-for-3 with eight RBIs in 39 games.