The Hangzhou Asian Games baseball team will include an amateur quota. Masan Yongmago pitcher Jang Hyun-seok is expected to be the first overall pick.
The KBO will officially announce the final roster for the Hangzhou Asian Games baseball team on June 9 at 2 p.m. at the KBO Hall in Yangjae-dong. The ceremony will be attended by Cho Kye-hyun, the head of the KBO’s Power Enhancement Committee, and Ryu Jung-il, the national team manager.
The final 24-man roster will be comprised of one to three players per club, including three wild cards (up to one per club) based on players who are 25 years of age or younger or in their fourth year of service, with no age or years of service restrictions.
One of the biggest issues in the announcement of the final roster for the Asian Games baseball team is the selection of players who are currently injured or underperforming. This is especially true for Koo Chang-mo (NC Dinos) and Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears), who have been struggling with injuries since the beginning of the season.
However, if they are deemed fit enough to recover in time for the September tournament, their chances of making the final roster have increased based on their proven skills. Changes to the final roster for the Asian Games can be made up to one day before the official start date. If there is a specific player injury issue right before the tournament, the KBO can decide to change the roster through an alternate selection.
The ratio of pitchers to fielders has also been outlined. The roster is likely to be split between 12 pitchers and 12 fielders. Due to the short duration of the international tournament, the roster was expected to be 11 pitchers and 13 batters, but in the end, one more pitcher was added.
This decision is likely due to the amateur quota. The Asian Games are amateur, not professional, in nature. In the past, Asian Games teams have included 토토사이트 one amateur player. The last one, the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, was controversial as it did not include a single amateur athlete.
MK Sports has confirmed that the Asian Games team will include a pitcher in the amateur quota. The KBO’s Power Enhancement Committee also considered the amateur quota with a focus on pitchers, especially as the 2024 rookie draft is expected to be strong in pitching.
Among this year’s amateur pitchers, Masan Yongmago pitcher Jang Hyun-seok and Jang Chung-go pitcher Hwang Jun-seo are the two most prominent players who are being eyed for a spot on the Asian Games team. Jang Hyun-seok, in particular, is considered to be a talented high school pitcher who is naturally built at 190 centimeters tall and throws fastballs in the mid-to-high 150 km/h range. He is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the KBO draft.
The KBO’s Power Enhancement Committee also reportedly observed Jang’s pitching performance closely. His current physical condition, which was another issue, is not a big deal. There was talk of possible surgery for his elbow problem, but Jang shook off some discomfort in his elbow and is preparing to resume pitching in mid-June.
If Jang makes the final roster for the Asian Games, the baseball world will be watching closely. Most importantly, Jang could be weighing his options for the U.S. Major League Baseball and staying in the KBO. His selection to the Asian Games team could have a major impact on his future career. It will also be interesting to see how he pitches for the national team amongst a stellar group of seniors.