Miami:<Text>
The emerging South Korean star Kim Do-yeong announced on Thursday that he plans to use the upcoming knockout game at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a personal measuring stick. Kim, who has been batting leadoff for the national team throughout the tournament, is expected to maintain his position when South Korea faces the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals at loanDepot park in Miami on Friday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, who was named the 2024 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) MVP for the Kia Tigers, is a well-known figure in South Korea but remains largely unfamiliar to international audiences. His opponents, however, feature a roster filled with Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Stars boasting impressive credentials.
During a press conference in Miami, Kim expressed his excitement and determination. "It's an honor to be playing against such great players, and I feel like I've grown so much during this tournament," Kim said. "I still have much more work to do, and I think tomorrow's game will be an opportunity for me to see where I stand."
Kim made history in 2024 by becoming the youngest player to achieve a 30-30 season, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 40 bases at just 20 years old. However, in 2025, he faced setbacks, playing only 30 out of 144 games due to multiple hamstring injuries.
Fully recovered for the WBC, Kim has already showcased his talent with a home run and a double during pool play at Tokyo Dome, ranking second on the national team with four RBIs. In the quarterfinals, Kim will confront starter Cristopher Sanchez, last year's National League Cy Young Award runner-up, along with a formidable bullpen.
Despite the challenges, Kim remains unfazed by the Dominican Republic's pitching staff or their enthusiastic fan base. Having witnessed the atmosphere at the Dominican-Venezuela game on Wednesday, he stated, "It was cool to see such a raucous crowd, and since I've al ready seen it in person, it won't affect me on the field during the game. I am going to try to have fun," Kim added. "The ball doesn't seem to fly as much as Tokyo Dome. I will have to bear down and stay locked in from the beginning."
<P/></Text>