South Korea Turns to So Hyung-joon to Kickstart WBC Run

Tokyo, Japan – The South Korean national baseball team will begin its quest for World Baseball Classic glory on March 5th, facing the Czech Republic at the Tokyo Dome. The team is hoping to reverse a recent trend of disappointing results in international competition.

A Fresh Start in Tokyo

After reaching the tournament’s final in 2009, South Korea has been eliminated in the first round in 2013, 2017, and 2023. The 2026 WBC represents an opportunity to restore the nation’s standing as a baseball power.

So Hyung-joon Gets the Nod

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun has announced that So Hyung-joon (KT WIZ) will be the starting pitcher against the Czech Republic. So Hyung-joon has a career record of 45 wins, 26 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 3.68 across 112 games (590 innings). In his most recent season, he posted a 10-7 record with a 3.30 ERA in 26 appearances (147.1 innings).

Tournament Format and Schedule

South Korea is grouped with Japan, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and Australia in Group C. Their schedule is as follows:

• March 5th: vs. Czech Republic
• March 7th: vs. Japan
• March 8th: vs. Taiwan
• March 9th: vs. Australia

Only the top two teams from each group advance to the next round.

Pitching Strategy and Regulations

The WBC features specific pitch count regulations. Starting pitchers are limited to 65 pitches in the first round, and relief pitchers face restrictions on consecutive appearances. The team hopes So Hyung-joon can preserve scoreless in as many innings as possible within the prescribed number of pitches.

Jung Woo-joo (Hanwha Eagles) is slated to follow So Hyung-joon on the mound.

Looking Ahead

South Korea will have a day off on March 6th before continuing pool play. The team is aiming to break a pattern of first-game struggles, having lost their opening game in the three previous WBCs where they were eliminated in the first round.