The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is the only international competition in which ‘active big leaguers’ participate.
Of course, players playing in the American major leagues receive attention, but the WBC is also a contest for ‘preliminary big leaguers’.
This is why the New York Post of the United States suggested on the 9th (Korean time), “Take note of Group B, which the United States does not belong to.”
The New York Post said, “In Group B, there are Korea Professional Baseball MVP Lee Jung-hoo and Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League MVP Yamamoto Yoshinobu.”
Lee Jeong-hoo (25, Kiwoom Heroes) aims to enter the big league through the posting system (private competitive bidding) after this season.
The New York Post introduced Lee Jung-hoo to American fans, saying, “Lee Jung-hoo signed a contract with Boras Corporation, led by big agent Scott Boras. Last year, he had a batting average of 0.349, 23 homers, and 66 walks while striking out only 32.”
However, he also pointed out Lee Jung-hoo’s weakness.
The New York Post said, “It is difficult to maintain the performance in Korea in the major leagues. The only hitters who have performed well in the major leagues are Choo Shin-soo and Choi.” A major league scout said, “I’m not used to ‘big league speed’ yet. Also, my long hitting power is lacking.”
Despite these weaknesses, Lee Jung-hoo is still an attractive hitter.
Scout Lee said, “Lee Jung-hoo has some talent. He has the ability to make contact, he has the ability to focus, and he has a good throwing ability. He can do a lot on the ground.” I know how to do it, and I have a good pioneering plan,” he added.
The New York Post praised Yamamoto (Orix Buffaloes) as ‘a pitcher who will act as an ace in the big leagues right away’. 온라인카지노
Yamamoto recorded 18-5 with an ERA of 1.39 and 206 strikeouts in 2021 and 15-5 with an ERA of 1.68 and 205 strikeouts in 2022, winning four crowns for two consecutive years (most wins, win rate, strikeouts, average ERA) and Pacific League MVP, Sawamura Award. read the
A major league scout said in an interview with the New York Post, “Yamamoto doesn’t need to show anything more in Japan now. He is a pitcher with tremendous competitiveness in the major leagues.” The splitter also has the best pitch in the big leagues. He is a much better pitcher than Senga Kodai (who signed with the New York Mets).”
Lee Jung-hoo also acknowledges Yamamoto. And I tried to surpass Yamamoto.
In the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 finals, Lee Jeong-hoo struck out three pitches from Yamamoto, who came out as a relief pitch.
Afterwards, Lee Jung-hoo, who said several times, “I will definitely punish Yamamoto next time I meet him,” got 2 hits in 3 at-bats against Yamamoto, who started against Korea at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The 2023 WBC Korea-Japan match will be held on March 10th at 7pm at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.
If a rematch between Korea-Japan MVP and ‘preliminary big leaguer’ Lee Jeong-hoo and Yamamoto takes place, it can catch the attention of major league officials.