KBO announced on the 12th that "the Korea Power Reinforcement Committee submitted 60 preliminary players for the 2024 Premier 12 'Team Korea' to the World Baseball Softball Association (WBSC)."
The Korea Power Reinforcement Committee said, "We have made a preliminary list of young players in their 20s who are expected to play well in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and 2028 LA Olympics. Following last year's Hangzhou Asian Games and APBC, young players who should lead Korean baseball in the future aim to strengthen their competitiveness in international competitions at a higher level through Premier 12."
In the case of Premier 12, preliminary roster changes can be made before final entry is confirmed in accordance with WBSC regulations. Therefore, players who are not included in the preliminary list of 60 submitted this time can be selected for the final list in the future, but quite a few Lotte players are on the list. Starting with pitcher Kim Jin-wook, seven players were listed, including catcher Son Sung-bin, infielder Son Ho-young, Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, and outfielders Yoon Dong-hee and Hwang Sung-bin.
Players who are not on the reserve list can be replaced at any time, but the number of players who are on the list with seven or 60 players is the second highest after the Samsung Lions (eight), along with the LG Twins, Doosan Bears and KIA Tigers. This means that there are so many young and capable players. Yoon Dong-hee already proved her capability by playing for the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) team including the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
Kim Jin-wook won the national flag at the Tokyo Olympics, while Son Seong-bin and Na Seung-yeop also participated in APBC. Players who have not played in adult national teams are Son Ho-young, Ko Seung-min, and Hwang Sung-bin. However, Son Ho-young is having his best year this year with 111 hits, 17 homers, 71 RBIs and a batting average of 0.327 OPS of 0.928, while Ko Seung-min has also become Lotte's main second baseman. Hwang also has a fast foot, hitting .317 in 112 games, recording 48 steals. He can be used as a "joker card" in short-term matches.
Asked about the Premier 12 national team a day after the announcement of the team's entry, Kim said, "They did a good job. They did a good job and were able to make the preliminary roster. I don't know how many players will make it to the national team, but they have grown that much." Although it is a preliminary roster, it is definitely a good thing that seven of the 60 players have been named. 토토사이트
In particular, many players seemed to have high expectations in that they have achieved remarkable growth after visiting the national team. The head coach said, "My eye level will change again when I come back from the national team. I hope I can only improve my skills and raise my eye level without getting cheeky," with a chuckle. "Everyone competes in the same way, but the players did a good job, so I took the position."
Currently, Lotte is weak, but it is competing in the postseason. It will hold three consecutive weekend games with the ranked Hanwha Eagles at a time when no one knows what will happen in the future. All games are precious and important, but especially the Hanwha match, which is competing for the top spot together, is inevitably important. First of all, in the first game of the three consecutive games, "Glasses Ace" Park Se-woong and "Korean Monster" Ryu Hyun-jin will clash.
On the day, Lotte will have starting lineup in the order of Yoon Dong-hee (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (second baseman), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Victor Reyes (right fielder), Jeon Joon-woo (left fielder), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeong Hoon (designated hitter), Park Seung-wook (striker), and Seo Dong-wook (catcher). For the time being, Lotte will wear catcher masks alternately with Seo Dong-wook and Kang Tae-yul. The reason why Son is currently unable to hit due to his wrist injury.
Regarding the catcher's lineup, Kim Tae-hyung said, "(Jung) Bo-geun can be registered on the 16th. Then Bo-geun should come," adding, "We need to see if (Son) starts treatment immediately if he is replaced by Son. We need to see if (Son) Sung-bin is better off playing defense even for three innings or not." In addition, Lotte cancelled Lee Ho-joon and called up Lee In-han. Regarding Lee's call-up, the head coach said, "We changed the entry to supply and demand right-handed hitters."