4 group stage games, 4 starting pitchers playing only 10 innings
Worried about selection before the competition… Reconfirm Ace’s absence
The Korean national baseball team, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, received a report card of being eliminated from the group stage in the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12.
Korea, which has 2 wins and 2 losses in the group stage, was confirmed to advance to the semifinals as Japan (4 wins, 0 losses) and Chinese Taipei (3 wins, 1 loss) both won on the 17th. Even if they win the remaining match against Australia on the 18th, they cannot win a ticket to Tokyo, Japan, where the Super Round will be held.
There is bound to be a great deal of regret in the fact that even though I knew about my weaknesses, I could not take action.
Ahead of this tournament, Korea had a lot of trouble forming the national team as Won Tae-in (Samsung Lions) and Son Ju-young (LG Twins) dropped out due to injuries. Meanwhile, the weakening of starting pitchers became more noticeable. Manager Ryu Joong-il also could not hide his concerns, saying, “I feel like the starting pitching staff is a little weak.”
The concerns became reality. The four starting pitchers selected by the national team, Ko Young-pyo (KT Wiz), Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears), Lim Chan-gyu (LG Twins), and Choi Seung-yong (Doosan), have never completed 5 innings in this tournament.
The number of innings pitched by the four starting pitchers in four games is only 10 innings (11 runs). Fortunately, Kwak Bin was responsible for the longest inning with 4 innings (no runs).
Even if we take into account the fact that in short-term games, if the starting pitcher falters, a bullpen pitcher is quickly brought in at the beginning, the performance of the starting pitchers is insufficient. Ko Young-pyo, who was the first starter, performed badly in the first game against Chinese Taipei, allowing 6 runs in 2 innings, including hitting a home run with all bases loaded.
As the starting pitcher was taken out of the game early on, Korea was unable to take control of the game and repeatedly broke into a sweat.
Even compared to past national teams that performed well in international competitions, the absence of an ace is noticeable. After outstanding starting pitchers such as Ryu Hyun-
Korea is undergoing a generational change with the goal of the 2026 WBC and 2028 LA Olympics. Although the competition where results must be achieved is getting closer, the Premier 12 painfully confirmed the strength of the starting pitchers who are still lacking.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Baseball Expert Dr. Min Soo-hyun
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Min. The recent performances of the Korean baseball team during the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 have sparked a lot of conversations and concerns among fans and analysts. Given the team’s group stage elimination, what are your immediate thoughts on their performance?
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: Thank you for having me. It’s quite disappointing for the Korean national team, especially considering the expectations leading into this tournament. Their performance—2 wins and 2 losses—did not reflect the potential many thought they had. Yet, the statistics tell a deeper story, particularly regarding the starting pitchers.
Time.news Editor: Indeed. It’s troubling to note that the four starting pitchers collectively managed only 10 innings over four games. How significant is this in the context of international competition?
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: It’s quite significant. In baseball, depth and endurance in pitching are crucial, especially in high-stakes international competitions. The fact that none of the starters could complete five innings not only burdens the bullpen but also puts additional pressure on the overall game strategy. This kind of performance can lead to early fatigue and diminished effectiveness, which we saw in their games as well.
Time.news Editor: Manager Ryu Joong-il expressed concerns over the starting pitching staff being “a little weak.” Given the injuries to players like Won Tae-in and Son Ju-young before the tournament, do you believe the team planned adequately for this?
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: That’s a great question. The injuries clearly impacted team selection and preparation. However, a well-prepared team should have contingency strategies. It seems that the coaching staff underestimated the ramifications of these absences, which ultimately led to the team relying on less experienced pitchers who faltered under pressure.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned pressure—Ko Young-pyo’s disastrous debut, allowing six runs in just two innings, must have been a pivotal moment. How does such an early setback affect both the pitcher and the team?
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: It creates a cascade effect. For one, a rough outing can severely disrupt a pitcher’s confidence, which is critical in such a fast-paced international format. For the team, losing control of the game early means that the dynamics shift away from them, making it difficult to regain momentum. The psychological toll is often underestimated in sports, and this can lead to further mistakes as players try to overcompensate.
Time.news Editor: Looking ahead, many fans are hoping for a turnaround as Korea prepares for the 2026 WBC and 2028 LA Olympics. What steps do you think the team should take to rebuild and develop stronger pitching depth?
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: It’s essential for the team to invest in developing young talent and establishing a more robust training regimen focusing on physical conditioning and mental resilience. The current generational shift means placing emphasis on developing a new pool of pitchers who can handle pressure on the international stage. Additionally, exploring advanced analytics and coaching strategies can help them prepare for the unique challenges these tournaments present.
Time.news Editor: Very insightful, Dr. Min. Before we wrap up, do you think fans should remain optimistic about the future of Korean baseball despite the current setbacks?
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: Absolutely. Baseball is a game of cycles and opportunities. While this tournament was a wakeup call, it also serves as a catalyst for growth. If they can learn from these failures and focus on building a solid foundation for the future, the fans have every reason to be optimistic.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Min, for sharing your expertise and insights. We appreciate your thoughts on this pivotal moment for Korean baseball.
Dr. Min Soo-hyun: Thank you for having me. Let’s keep cheering for our team!