Kwak Bin "I want to be recognized as being effective on the international stage I will overcome the burden."

Doosan Kwak Bin continues to play well

Doosan Bears vs. NC Dinos, the 2023 KBO postseason wild card match, held at Changwon NC Park on the afternoon of the 19th.

The Korean national team, which advanced to the finals of the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) 2023, will seek revenge against Korea and Japan with right-handed ace Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears) at the forefront.

Kwak Bin will start the final against Japan to be held at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on the 19th.

For Korea, this is an opportunity to wash away the pain of losing 1-2 in the second round of the preliminary round on the 17th and at the same time avenge the loss in the final of the 2017 invitational tournament.

Kwak Bin, who began his professional career in 2018, pitched in 23 games in the 2023 Korean Professional Baseball regular season and posted 12 wins, 7 losses, and an ERA of 2.90, earning double-digit wins in a season for the first time in his career.

Kwak Bin established himself as a leading starting pitcher in the KBO League by throwing a combination of curves, changeups, and sliders along with fastballs in the 150 km/h range.

As an individual, Kwak Bin is determined to erase the regrets he left behind at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) last March and the Hangzhou Asian Games in October.

Kwak Bin pitched in relief in two games against Japan and the Czech Republic in the WBC, where he first wore the Taegeuk logo, and performed poorly, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs in 2 innings.

At the Hangzhou Asian Games, before the first group match against Hong Kong, symptoms of back pain occurred and he was unable to play a single game.

Kwak Bin, whom we met after the match against Taiwan on the 18th, said, "I didn't throw well in the WBC, but this time I want to throw well and be recognized as a player who can work on the international stage," and expressed his determination, saying, "I will overcome the pressure and throw my best."

He said, “I had a good experience at the Asian Games, so I hope I can rely on that energy and do well again to win.”

Regarding Japan's batting lineup, he said with a smile, "They all hit well from number 1 to number 9," and then added, "As they are great hitters, I will push myself to my limits."

Korean national team coach Ryu Joong-il said, “Kwak Bin is the Korean right-handed ace,” and hoped, “Change-ball control is key. I hope he pitches well in the finals.”

Imai announced as a final selection for the Japan APBC national team

The Japanese starting pitcher that Kwak Bin must overcome is 'wild card' right-hander Tatsuya Imai (25, Seibu Lions).

Imai, in his 6th year, pitched 133 innings in 19 games in the 2023 season, setting a career high with 10 wins, 5 losses, 130 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.30.His career record is 38 wins, 32 losses, and an earned run average of 3.69.

Imai throws a fast ball with a maximum speed of 159 km/h, a change-up, a slider, and a curve.A cut fastball, which has a similar trajectory to the slider but has a faster velocity, was also recently installed.

The fact that there are a lot of walks is what the Korean national team needs to focus on.

Imai gave up 61 walks (4.13 per 9 innings), the most in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) this season.

Manager Ryu Joong-il said, "I am also curious about how our batters will deal with Imai. I have been watching videos of Imai consistently. I will think about a strategy." 슬롯사이트