Seoul: The 2024 South Korean baseball league MVP, Kim Do-yeong, was selected to the national team for the upcoming Asian Games. Kim, who was voted the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regular-season MVP in 2024 for the Kia Tigers, was one of 24 players picked by manager Ryu Ji-hyun.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Asian Games will take place around Aichi Prefecture in Japan, with Nagoya serving as the main host. The competition will run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, with the baseball tournament set for Sept. 21-27. South Korea will aim to secure its fifth consecutive Asiad gold in baseball.
South Korean male athletes who win Asian Games gold medals receive exemption from mandatory military service. After criticism regarding the selection of older players for military service exemption, the KBO started choosing younger players at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. This year, the KBO selected 21 players under 25, plus three "wild card" players aged 25-29.
Kim, 22, who did not make the 2023 Asian Games team, will now have the opportunity to earn his military service exemption. He had a notable 2024 season, becoming the youngest player to join the 30-30 club with 38 home runs and 40 steals. After a challenging 2025 season due to injuries, Kim has rebounded this year, tying for first with 19 home runs and ranking third with 52 RBIs through Wednesday's games.
The KBO regular season will continue during the Asian Games, which could impact teams' postseason pursuits due to the absence of key players. The KBO has imposed a limit of three players from each of its 10 clubs. Kim is one of three Tigers players. The Doosan Bears, the Samsung Lions, the SSG Landers, the KT Wiz, and the Lotte Giants are the other clubs with the maximum three players.
The LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles will send two players each, while the NC Dinos and the Kiwoom Heroes will each have one representative. Manager Ryu will include 11 pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders, and four outfielders in the team.
Among the returnees from the 2023 Asian Games are Eagles infielder Roh Si-hwan, Dinos shortstop Kim Ju-won, and Giants outfielder Yoon Dong-hee. Several players who helped South Korea reach the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic in March, including Kim Do-yeong, Twins infielder Moon Bo-gyeong, Landers reliever Jo Byeong-hyeon, and Bears starter Gwak Been, are also part of the team. Unlike three years ago, no amateur players were selected this time.