Gold Medalists from Asian Games Join South Korea’s U-24 Roster for Asia Professional Baseball Championship

SEOUL – Some of South Korea’s top young baseball players who clinched the gold medal at the recent Asian Games are set to return to the field for the under-24 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) next month in Tokyo.

According to a new release by Yonhap News Agency, the organization revealed its 26-man roster for the APBC, which is scheduled to run from November 16 to 19. The team includes pitcher Moon Dong-ju and third baseman Roh Si-hwan, both of whom are teammates from the Hanwha Eagles and played a vital role in South Korea’s fourth consecutive gold medal win in China earlier this month.

The tournament will feature teams from South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Australia. Participating teams are required to field players born on January 1, 1999, or later, or those who began their professional careers in 2021 or later. Teams are also allowed to include up to three overage players, specifically those born on January 1, 1994, or later.

Other players from South Korea’s Asian Games lineup that will participate include Lotte Giants outfielder Yoon Dong-hee, KT Wiz reliever Park Yeong-hyun, and Kiwoom Heroes infielder Kim Hye-seong.

Ryu Joong-il, who managed the South Korean team during the Asian Games, will continue in his role for the APBC. Training camp is set to open on November 6 in the southeastern city of Daegu. Players competing in the Korean Series, the KBO’s championship round that begins on November 7, will join the national team after their postseason commitments.

In line with tournament rules, South Korea will maintain a reserve roster of 20 players. Ryu has the option to select players from this reserve list in case of injuries. The deadline for making any roster changes is November 14.

The tournament’s round-robin phase will take place from November 16 to 18, with the top two teams progressing to the final match scheduled for November 19.