By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
The bash-happy trio of Lee Seung-yeop, Kim Dong-joo and Lee Dae-ho anchors what looks to be South Korea's most explosive lineup ever, at least on paper. Too bad the men in blue are a threat to give up just as many runs on the field as they produce at the plate.
Doosan Bears manager Kim Kyung-moon is leading the South Korean national team in Taiwan ahead of next month's eight-nation playoff series that stakes three spots to the Beijing Summer Olympics.
South Korea opens against South Africa on March 7, and regional contenders such as Australia, Mexico and Spain assure a tough competition for Kim's squad. Kim is expected to reduce his current 32-man roster to 24 ahead of the South Africa game.
The addition of Yomiuri Giants first baseman Seung-yeop, a sweet-swinging left-hander with a reputation as a clutch performer in international tournaments, certainly adds another dimension to Kim's team built around speed and contact hitting.
With Doosan Bears third baseman Dong-joo and Lotte Giants slugger Dae-ho penciled in the designated hitter spot, providing Seung-yeop potent right-handed protection, South Korea certainly boasts the ability to end games with a swing of the bat.
Manager Kim seems to be leaning toward having Seung-yeop hitting at the third slot, with Dong-joo hitting cleanup and Dae-ho hitting fifth.
``Seung-yeop has a lot of experience hitting third, but Dong-joo doesn't. The presence of Seung-yeop will make things a lot easier for Dong-joo and Dae-ho," said Kim, who apparently isn't thinking too much about mixing and matching his left-handed and right-handed hitters.
Determining Seung-yeop's place in the lineup is clearly among the more lighthearted problems Kim is facing, as the former catcher must find a way to milk the best out of his less-than-impressive unit of pitchers.
With U.S.-based veterans Park Chan-ho, Kim Byung-hyun and Ryu Jae-kuk unavailable, manager Kim is expected to rely heavily on Hanhwa Eagles ace Ryu Hyun-jin, who looked taxed before excusing himself out of a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) playoff series against the Bears last season.
Giants starter Son Min-han is another reliable option, but Bears starter Kim Sun-woo and SK Wyverns lefty Kim Kwang-hyun have yet to prove their worthiness of wearing their country's colors.
The injury to Kia Tigers starter Seo Jae-weong certainly hurts, as the former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher would have played a crucial role on the team with his versatility as a starter and reliever.
And the absence of Samsung Lions shortstop Park Jin-man, a defensive wizard hobbled with an injury in his throwing arm, and Wyverns infielder Jung Keun-woo, Park's primary backup on the national team, suggests that the airtight defense which distinguished South Korea in past tournaments is now in danger of being compromised.
The injuries to his key infielders mean that Kim would be prevented from spending an extra roster spot on a pitcher, despite the team's lack of quality arms.
``I will have 10 pitchers and 14 outfielders and infielders, including two catchers," said Kim. ``I can't spend an extra spot in pitchers with all the injuries.''