Tokyo: Before they play their first regular-season game together in South Korea this spring, Australian shortstop Jarryd Dale and South Korean third baseman Kim Do-yeong will square off as opponents at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Tokyo next week. Kim is an established star for the Kia Tigers as the 2024 regular-season MVP. Dale signed with the Tigers in December as an Asian quota player to fill their hole at shortstop.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Dale was already impressed with Kim during their short time together in spring training last month and grew even more so over the past couple of days, with Kim smacking home runs in back-to-back exhibition games against Japanese clubs. "I've made sure to watch and just try to study some of the hitters because I'm going to be playing shortstop for Team Australia so I just want to position myself to have success," Dale said at Tokyo Dome after his team's official practice. "(Kim) is a good hitter. I played against him when I was still with Kia (in spring training scrimmages). He looks really impressive. I think he's going to have a good WBC, and I think he's going to have a really good season as well with Kia."

Australia and South Korea will meet for their final Pool C game next Monday. Depending on how they fare in earlier games, that finale could have major implications for their status, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the quarterfinals next week. "Well, he thinks Korea's going to win, and I think Australia's going to win," Dale said with a laugh. "It's going to be big. I'm going to say hello to him for sure. I'm excited to see him, and it's going to be a good matchup."

And once the WBC ends, Dale and Kim will man the left side of the infield for the Tigers, the 2024 Korean Series champions who missed the 2025 postseason amid injuries to key players, including Kim. "I'm most looking forward to the fans. I heard the Kia Tigers have some of the best fans in the league," Dale said. "I'm excited to get to Gwangju and Champions Field, and say hello to everyone and meet the fans. I think it's just going to be a great year."