Kadena: South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun expressed his satisfaction with the national baseball team's performance during their training camp in Japan as they prepare for the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC). Ryu noted that the team is progressing well despite the cancellation of their scrimmage against the KT Wiz due to rain.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean team concluded its series of practice games with a record of four wins and one loss, after opening camp on February 12. Ryu mentioned that the cancellation of the scrimmage was not a major setback, as he preferred to avoid overexerting his players with the WBC less than a week away.
The manager highlighted his desire for starter Song Seung-ki to have pitched three innings, but acknowledged that the left-hander achieved his necessary workload in the bullpen. "Overall, my satisfaction level with the camp is 90 percent," Ryu stated. He added that not reaching full satisfaction was due to some relief pitchers not throwing at their usual velocity levels.
Ryu noted that the relievers' speeds were slightly below their typical mid-season form, but he remained confident that their performance would enhance once they enter the competitive environment of the tournament. The team will next head to Osaka for official pre-WBC games against Nippon Professional Baseball clubs, including matches against the Hanshin Tigers and the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome.
In Osaka, six U.S.-based players will join the squad, including captain Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants, Kim Hye-seong from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Jahmai Jones of the Detroit Tigers. Ryu plans to finalize the lineup and bullpen roles based on these players' integration.
South Korea's WBC campaign will begin with a game against the Czech Republic in Pool C, followed by matches against Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Australia. The top two teams from the pool will advance to the quarterfinals in Miami, and Ryu is optimistic about his team's chances, stating, "We've had to make some roster changes along the way, but we've been preparing for the tournament thoroughly. I firmly believe we will achieve good results."