Lee Yi-ri, 21, a left-handed fastball pitcher for the KIA Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), has already earned his third Taeguk mark in his third year as a professional.
Named to the final roster of the baseball team for the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games on 9 September, Lee vowed to “go out there and throw my arm off” ahead of their game against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul.
Lee has started 11 games this season, going 5-3 with a 2.55 ERA.
His only weakness is his velocity, with 41 walks in 49 1/3 innings, but he has a strong fastball that tops out at 153 km/h and has 68 strikeouts.토토사이트
In his first year as a professional, he competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March this year, and is now a regular on the national team.
Recognised as one of South Korea’s leading baseball players, he says, “It feels great to be selected, but I also feel a sense of responsibility to do well. It’s a new feeling to be selected for the national team for all three times, but I’m determined to go out there and do well.”
After starting the season early with a WBC appearance, Lee will now travel to the Asian Games in October.
Managing her fitness will be a key factor in her performance this year.
“I’m going to do the same thing I’ve always done, work out a lot and eat good food. I’m not going to do anything different,” Lee said.
Alongside Lee, KIA also named left-handed bullpen pitcher Choi Ji-min, 20, to the national team.
Choi has emerged as a key part of the KIA bullpen this year, going 2-2 with a 1.63 ERA in 23 games with one save and three holds.
“It’s something I never imagined (before the season started). I was expecting (to start) a little bit when I was in important situations, but it feels different now that I’ve been selected,” Choi said. “There’s still a lot of season left, so I’m not going to get excited, but I’m going to do my part in any situation.”
Lee Yi-ri, who has a junior in the squad, said, “Jimin’s performance is very good. I’m sure he’ll do well at the Asian Games.”
In addition to the two, KIA also named outfielder Choi Won-jun (26) to the squad.
Currently, Choi is a member of the Korean Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Commerce), but he will be discharged from the military and will join the team next Tuesday, making him a de facto KIA player.
“Choi Won-jun hasn’t been performing well in the Futures (second division) league this year due to injuries, so I wouldn’t have thought of him (being selected) myself,” said KIA coach Kim Jong-guk.
“It’s too early to think about it now, we’ll think about it in August,” he said of the gap in the squad when they joined the national team.