‘Major leaguer’ Choi Ji-man (32, Pittsburgh Pirates) was named to the final roster for the Korean national team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March this year.
But it’s not definitive. His team, Pittsburgh, did not give permission. The final list can be amended until February 7, the deadline for submission to the WBC Organizing Committee.
Choi Ji-man underwent an elbow bone fragment removal surgery last fall. He can complete rehabilitation until February, but at the club’s discretion, he may refuse to participate in the WBC. Pittsburgh will want to protect the newly recruited Choi Ji-man as much as possible.
Skills built up in the major leagues… Will they explode on the national team?
After graduating from Incheon Dongsan High School in 2010, Choi Ji-man boarded a plane to the United States. He struggled in the minor leagues for over five years before finally stepping into the major leagues in 2016. In the 2018 Tampa Bay Race, he became the first Korean beast to participate in the World Series on the stage of dreams.
However, Choi Ji-man, who had been in the minor leagues for a long time, was not called by the nation. He had to watch international competitions such as WBC, Olympics, Asian Games and Premier 12.
However, now he has become a full-fledged major league player and was selected for the national team for the first time. Choi Ji-man, who has a strong will to participate in the WBC, took a break in Korea and left for the United States on the 8th for training. He delayed his departure by a month from previous years in order to quickly improve his physical condition ahead of the WBC.
While leaving for the United States, Choi Ji-man said, “I really want to go to the WBC,” and “I haven’t decided yet in Pittsburgh, and I’m still waiting for (permission) to appeal.”
After analyzing Australia’s power to clash at the WBC, national team coach Lee Kang-cheol, who returned on the 9th, said, “I also really want to take Choi Ji-man.” This coming is the best scenario,” he emphasized.
Korea’s strongest infielder… Choi Ji-man’s joining song ‘Hwaryongjeongjeong’
As manager Lee Kang-cheol said, we have to prepare for all possible moves, so Park Byung-ho and Kang Baek-ho (above kt Wiz), another first baseman candidates, were also on the final list. 메이저사이트
However, Choi Ji-man is the perfect ‘first baseman giant’ to replace the vacant position of retired Lee Dae-ho. In addition to his skills that do not require verification, he can be a great ‘adviser’ to his teammates as he has experience dealing with pitchers from around the world in the major leagues.
If Choi Ji-man’s participation in the WBC is confirmed, Korea will be equipped with a ‘major league infield’ consisting of first baseman Choi Ji-man – second baseman Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals) – shortstop Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres).
Attention is focusing on whether Choi Ji-man, who got the opportunity to wear the Taegeuk mark after 13 years of waiting, will wear a national team uniform and hit a home run at the WBC.