Olympic Rosters: South Korea

Part four of my Olympic previews

South Korea has also announced its Olympic team. Only one guy from the US or Japan was allowed to play but most of the KBO's top stars are present. The two big exceptions are Tae-kyun Kim ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Tae-kyun_Kim_%28kimta02%29[/url]), the top hitter in the 2008 KBO to date and veteran star Min-han Son ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Min-Han_Son[/url]). Also, the Chunichi Dragons refused to let Chang-yong Lim play. South Korea won Bronze in 2000 and they could do so again here. They are not equal to Cuba, the USA or Japan but could upset any of them to get a Medal. At worst, I see them finishing 5th, behind the above 3 plus Canada. It's unlikely that Taiwan or the Netherlands will finish ahead of them but it certainly is in the realm of possibility.

C: As with Taiwan, Canada and the Netherlands, we know what we're getting. Kab-yong Jin ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Kab-yong_Jin[/url]) has been around a while now and isn't likely to be a star in the Olympics but should do okay. His back-up is someone named Min-ho Kang.

1B: This is their strong point. Seung-yeop Lee ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Seung-yeop_Lee[/url]) has been playing in the Japanese minors but is still likely the best Korean hitter in the world. Dae-ho Lee ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dae-ho_Lee[/url]) won a Triple Crown a couple years ago and would be a good DH option.

2B: Young-min Ko ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Young-min_Ko[/url]) emerged as a force in the 2007 KBO and did well in the Asian Championship and Olympic Qualifier. Not a guy to be underestimated.

SS: Shortstops almost as old as Cuba's. Jin-man Park ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jin-man_Park[/url]) and Min-jae Kim ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Min-jae_Kim[/url]) have been around the block and are unlikely to be stars in the Olympics.

3B: Dong-joo Kim ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dong-joo_Kim[/url]) is a good hitter and should give the team some nice production.

Keun-woo Jeong is listed as another infielder.

OF: Lots of contact and speed; not much pop. Jin-young Lee ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jin-young_Lee[/url]), Taek-keun Lee ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Taek-keun_Lee[/url]), Yong-kyu Lee ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Yong-kyu_Lee[/url]) and Jong-wook Lee ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jong-wook_Lee[/url]) are all pretty similar in terms of skill set, let alone surname. Hyun-soo Kim is the fifth outfielder.

SP: Some familiar faces here. Jung Bong ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jung-keun_Bong[/url]) pitched in the majors and Seung Song ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Seung-jun_Song[/url]) pitched in AAA for a few years. Both are back in Korea and doing well, unlike Sun-woo Kim (not on this team). 21-year-old Hyun-jin Ryu ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Hyun-jin_Ryu[/url]) was excellent in 2006 but has faded a bit from overuse. He's not even the youngest hurler on the team - Kwang-hyun Kim ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Kwang-hyun_Kim[/url]) is turning 20 later this month. He was excellent in the 2008 Olympic qualifier.

RP: Seung-hwan Oh ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Seung-hwan_Oh[/url]) and Tae-hyon Chong ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Tae-hyon_Chong[/url]) are nice options to close. Ki-joo Han ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Ki-joo_Han[/url]), Hyuk Kwon ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Hyuk_Kwon[/url]) and Tae-hoon Lim ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Tae-hoon_Lim[/url]) are all pretty good hurlers as well; Lim was Rookie of the Year in the 2007 KBO. Won-sam Jang (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Won-sam Jang) rounds out the staff.