GWANGJU: The Korean Series is poised to showcase two of the Korea Baseball Organization’s (KBO) most promising talents as Kim Do-yeong of the Kia Tigers and Kim Young-woong of the Samsung Lions prepare to face off. Both 21-year-old third basemen, who have been hailed as high school phenoms, are entering their third season with substantial regular-season achievements, setting the stage for a thrilling championship showdown beginning Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Do-yeong has delivered one of the most remarkable offensive performances in KBO history, achieving 38 home runs and 40 steals, narrowly missing a 40-40 milestone. With a batting line of .347/.420/.647 and a record-setting 143 runs scored, he is a strong contender for the regular-season MVP. Despite personal accolades, Kim emphasized his commitment to the team’s success. “I am not really crazy about winning both MVP awards. I just want to help the team win,” he stated during the Korean Series media day in Gwangju.
Kim Young-woong, while
not matching Do-yeong’s offensive stats, has excelled defensively and showcased versatility by playing third base and shortstop. With 28 home runs and 79 RBIs, he made a significant impact in his postseason debut, particularly in the Lions’ series against the LG Twins. “Honestly, I felt quite nervous before playing my first postseason game, but after getting four games under my belt now, I’m fully acclimated,” Young-woong expressed, highlighting the intensified fan engagement during postseason play.
The camaraderie and mutual respect between the two players were evident, with Do-yeong acknowledging Young-woong’s knack for delivering in critical moments. Meanwhile, Young-woong expressed a desire to outperform Do-yeong in the series.
Veteran players, including Tigers pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong and Lions catcher Kang Min-ho, bring experience to the youthful teams. Yang, pursuing his third championship, anticipates a challenging series, particularly against Kang, who secured the Lions’ series clinching win against
the Twins. Kang, playing in his first Korean Series at 39, is determined to challenge the Tigers’ perfect record in the championship.