By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Since their superb showing at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2006, the South Koreans have been blowing their own horn as a world baseball elite.
However, after surrendering an early Olympic spot to archrival Japan in the first round of the qualifying tournament last year, the men in blue are now forced to prove themselves in an eight-team tournament beginning today in Taiwan that stakes the last three tickets to Beijing.
South Korea coach Kim Kyung-moon has penciled Lotte Giants veteran Son Min-han to start in today's opener against South Africa, which along with Germany and Spain, is considered among the weakest of the eight teams.
However, host Taiwan and regional powers Australia, Mexico and Canada assure tough competition for the Koreans, who enter the tournament with concerns in the infield and back end of their bullpen.
``It is vital that we score as many runs as we can in the early innings against the teams considered weaker, as taking advantage of the seven-inning mercy rule would be the best way to save our bullpen pitchers for more critical situations," said Kim, apparently hoping for at least five strong innings from Son.
``It would be important for us to get our wins early and give us a cushion for the rest of the tournament," he said. ``We won't risk too much in the goal of winning all of our matches.''
The South African hitters aren't much of a bet to cause trouble for Son, a 10-year veteran with 85 career wins in the Korean league who is clearly blessed with a flair for the moment as evidenced by his clutch performances at the WBC and other international tournaments.
However, predicting the odds in an international tournament is often a risky business. In their first game at the WBC, the South Africans nearly pulled off an upset of Canada, a team loaded with Major League Baseball (MLB) players, before conceding a ninth-inning lead and falling 11-8.
Kim would obviously prefer less of a thriller, as he plans to go all out in the first three games, with contenders Australia and Mexico next in line, gunning for a comfortable lead and wouldn't want to consume too much energy against an underdog opponent.
South Africa is bringing 11 players from its WBC roster to Taiwan, with ace pitcher Barry Armitage, a former Kansas City Royals prospect, possibly starting against the Koreans.
Second baseman Jonathan Phillips, who once played rookie ball in the Milwaukee Brewers system, and shortstop Brett Willemburg, coming off a solid performance in last year's Baseball World Cup, are the most notable players among fielders.
For Korea, all eyes will be on the performance of shortstop Park Jin-man, considered one of Asia's top defensive players at the position, who made the roster despite a bum shoulder.
Park's injury makes the left part of the Korean infield an uncertainty, as Kim Dong-joo, whose value clearly lies with his bat, is a liability with his limited range at third base.
Considering that Son, never the strikeout artist, relies heavily on inducing ground balls, the South Africa match might serve as a critical audition for Park for the rest of the tournament.
Should the Samsung Lions veteran fail to prove his fitness, coach Kim could opt to switch for Son Shi-hun, slightly a better bat but much lesser of a glove, in the games against Australia and Mexico.
Kim has fewer questions with the batting lineup, which has the potential to be the country's most productive ever. Centerfielder Lee Jong-wook, who hits for average and steals bases in bunches, is hitting leadoff, followed by Ko Young-min, a second baseman with a pop in the bat.
Yomiuri Giants first baseman Lee Seung-yeop, a sweet swinging lefty slugger, is protected by right-handed mashers Dong-joo and Lee Dae-ho, penciled as the designated hitter, at the heart of the order.
Outfielders Lee Jin-young and Lee Taek-geun and catcher Cho In-sung combine as a formidable trio at the bottom of the order.
It remains to be seen whether the South Africans could pound Son enough to force Kim to reach deep into his bullpen, where the absence of injured Samsung Lions closer Oh Seung-hwan looms large.
Kim has soft-throwing submariner Chung Dae-hyun, a veteran of international tournaments, as his closer, although his lack of an out pitch is certainly a concern in the late innings, especially with the questions surrounding the infield defense.
Hard-throwing Kia Tigers reliever Han Ki-joo and Woori Heroes starter Hwang Doo-sung combine with Heroes lefty Jang Won-sam as the options for the seventh and eighth innings, but none them have much experience in international play.