“He is the ‘number one’ pitcher representing the KBO League. No other words are needed.” Ahead of the opening of the 2023 KBO League, managers of 10 clubs and players representing their teams met with fans.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) held a Media Day and Fan Fest at the Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Ballroom in Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st prior to the opening of the league on April 1st. The 10 team commanders who attended this event foretold the starting pitchers for the opening game.
For the ‘defending champion’ SSG Landers, Kim Gwang-hyun goes up the mound. SSG will play the opening game against the KIA Tigers at Incheon SSG Landers Field.
“The starting pitcher for the opening match is, of course, Kwang-Hyun Kim,” said SSG coach Kim Won-hyung. KIA put forward a foreign pitcher card. Shawn Anderson will face off against Kwang-Hyun Kim for the starting lineup.
KIA coach Kim Jong-guk explained the reason for the drop, saying, “Anderson has the best pitch, control, and condition among the starting resources in the team after going through spring camp and demonstration games.”
The Kiwoom Heroes, who will be playing the opening game against the Hanwha Eagles at Gocheok Sky Dome, will also put forward a native ace. Kiwoom coach Hong Won-ki called An Woo-jin and said, “I see him as the best pitcher in Korea.”
Hanwha has always had native starting pitchers in their recent opening games. However, Hanwha coach Carlos Subero chose differently this time.
Coach Subero said, “I will break the tradition,” and said, “Birch Smith will be the starting pitcher for the opening game in his best form during the spring camp.”
He did not speak at length, but he also showed a tense nervous warfare. The two commanders of KT Wiz and LG Twins meeting at KT Wiz Park in Suwon said in unison, “We decided on the starting cards to beat each other.”
KT coach Lee Kang-cheol said, “Wes Benjamin started and beat LG.” LG coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop also replied, “Casey Kelly comes out and of course to beat KT.” A face-to-face match for foreign pitchers was concluded.
There is also another foreign starting pitcher face-to-face. Samsung, who meets the NC Dinos at Samsung Lions Park, the home of Samsung, will feature ‘Ace’ David Buchanan.
Samsung coach Park Jin-man said, “(Buchanan) knows the KBO league well. During the offseason, he seems to have felt his lacking side well.”
In NC, Eric Peddy, who newly joined this season, will be responsible for the starting mound for the opening game. NC coach Kang In-won said, “Peddy has a lot of experience in the major leagues (MLB) and is excellent in all areas, including pitching.”
The Doosan Bears and Lotte Giants, who will face off in the opening match at Jamsil Stadium, will also send foreign starting pitchers. Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop picked Raul Alcantara, the “ace” who returned to the KBO League, and Lotte coach Larry Sutton also picked Dan Strayley, who wore a Lotte uniform again during last season. 카지노
Coach Lee said, “I focused on Alcantara’s KBO experience, and the current condition is good.” Coach Sutton explained, “(Strayly) has the experience of starting in the opening game, and the team will continue to play away games in the first week of opening, so I thought of the best starting rotation considering this.”