Incheon: Ryu Ji-hyun, manager of the South Korean national baseball team preparing for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), expressed great satisfaction with the team's recent training camp in Saipan. The manager was so pleased with the team's performance and preparation that he plans to award them with bonus points.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ryu praised the players for arriving well-prepared, demonstrating a commendable approach to practices, and taking the tournament seriously. "Overall, I think the team deserves 100 points out of 100, and I would add another 100 points on top of that," Ryu stated upon returning to Incheon International Airport. He extended his gratitude to the entire team for their efforts.
The training camp began on January 9 and included approximately 30 players, primarily from Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs, along with two U.S.-based players -- Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Go Woo-suk, who has a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers.
South Korea, aiming to improve past performances, conducted the camp earlier than usual. The team was eliminated in the opening round of the last three WBC editions, despite reaching the final in 2009. This year, South Korea needs to finish in the top two in Pool C, competing against Japan, Australia, Chinese Taipei, and the Czech Republic, to advance to the quarterfinals.
Ryu, who has prior experience as a coach in two WBC tournaments, expressed confidence in his team, citing their dedication as a positive indicator for upcoming results. He highlighted the leadership of veterans Ryu Hyun-jin and Park Hae-min, who played crucial roles as captains of the pitchers' and position players' groups, respectively.
The primary focus of the camp was to increase the pitchers' workload ahead of the tournament. Ryu noted success in this area, observing 13 pitchers in the bullpen and expressing optimism about their readiness for the next camp in Japan scheduled for February 15.
However, the team faces challenges with injuries to key infielders Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves and Song Sung-mun of the San Diego Padres, who will miss the WBC. Ryu acknowledged the setbacks and emphasized the need for contingency planning. He plans to consult with KBO officials to discuss potential roster changes.