KIA head coach Kim Jong-kook reacted to Choi Won-jun’s wild card selection by saying he didn’t expect it at all.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) on Monday afternoon announced the 24 players and coaching staff who will compete in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which have been postponed by one year.

The KBO Power Enhancement Committee conducted the final roster selection from the 198 players (180 KBO League players and 18 amateur players) on the pre-registration list that was submitted to the KBSA on April 28. The list of 24 players recommended by the Power Enhancement Committee to the KBSA was submitted to the Korea Sports Council after final deliberations by the KBSA Performance Enhancement Committee.

KIA has produced a total of three national team members. The KBO press release lists two, but KIA’s Choi Won-jun, who is serving in the military at Sangsung, is scheduled to be called up on Nov. 11. This gives KIA a total of three players to wear the Korean flag, joining left-handed duo Lee Yi-ri and Choi Ji-min. Born in 1997, Choi was selected as a wild card along with Park Se-woong (Lotte) and Koo Chang-mo (NC).

Speaking before the game against Doosan in Jamsil on September 9, coach Kim Jong-guk said, “(Choi) Won-joon hasn’t played in the Futures League this year because of injuries. I didn’t even think about it because of his poor performance, but I think coach Ryu Jung-il picked him because of his good performance before he went to the army.” “For (Lee) Eui-ri, I honestly expected it, and (Choi) Jimin was nervous because he had a good performance for the first time this year. It seems like he looked at his good grades and pitching well.”

KIA will have to make up for the three players’ absence in late September and early October, when the Asian Games will be held. The team needs to have a backup plan in place as the standings battle is in full swing. The KBO League will not be suspended during the Hangzhou Asian Games.

“It’s still a long way off,” Kim said. “We’re fortunate that we didn’t lose any of our middle or starting pitchers. We will think about the national team vacancies in August because the current situation is more important,” he said, adding, “Above all, I hope the three players will play well and win the gold medal.”

Choi Won-jun, who is two days away from making his debut, is scheduled to make his first team debut against Gochuk Kiwoom on the 13th. Coach Kim said, “(Choi) Won-joon will be registered as soon as he joins the team. He’s currently playing outfield and first base at Sangmu at our request, but he can play outfield, first base, and even third base, so I’m looking forward to seeing his versatility.”메이저사이트

Meanwhile, KIA’s starting lineup against Doosan starter Kim Dong-joo is Ryu Ji-hyuk (third base), Ko Jong-wook (left field), Socrates Brito (center field), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Kim Sun-bin (second base), Lee Woo-sung (right field), Byun Woo-hyuk (first base), Shin Beom-soo (catcher), and Park Chan-ho (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Adonis Medina.