Erick Fedde was named KBO MVP for 2023 after a spectacular season with the NC Dinos. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
By Conor Liguori
World Baseball Network
The Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League hosted an awards ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, and the league’s top players were celebrated for their outstanding performances on the field this past Korean Baseball Organization season.
The awards included MVP, Rookie of the Year, and the inaugural Fielding Award. On Monday, the KBO announced the nominees for the Gold Glove Award. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on December 11.
The KBO created the KBO Fielding Award this season to recognize the league’s best defensive players. Historically, the Gold Glove Awards have been given to players who post the best offensive and pitching statistics, but defensive numbers are considered.
Most Valuable Player
Starting pitcher Erick Fedde of the NC Dinos was named the league’s MVP at the awards ceremony on Monday. Fedde put together one of the best KBO foreign pitching seasons ever, becoming the first foreign hurler to win the pitching Triple Crown. He posted a 20-6 record with a 2.00 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 180.1 innings.
Fedde subsequently won the Choi Dong-won Award, the KBO equivalent to the Cy Young Award in Major League Baseball.
Fedde, 30, pitched six seasons with the Washington Nationals from 2017-22 but struggled to succeed, posting a 5.41 ERA in 102 appearances. He is a highly sought-after pitcher after his outstanding season with the NC Dinos.
KBO in English on X reports the Dinos are preparing to offer Fedde a multi-year contract, and the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball are also interested in the right-handed pitcher. Fedde could also return to the United States and pursue an MLB contract.
Rookie of The Year
On Monday, starting pitcher Moon Dong-ju of the Hanwha Eagles was named the KBO Rookie of the Year for the 2023 season. The hard-throwing 19-year-old earned 85 of the 111 eligible votes KBO reporters and media members cast.
Moon is the first Eagles player to win the award since Ryu Hyun-jin in 2006 and posted an 8-8 record with a 3.72 ERA. He recorded 95 strikeouts in 118.2 innings and limited home runs, giving up just six.
“I would like to share this award with our fans,” Moon said at the awards ceremony. “I also want to thank my coaches and trainers for taking good care of me this year. I want to help the team reach greater heights next year.”
KBO Fielding Award Winners
SP – Erick Fedde (NC Dinos)
C – Yang Eui-ji (Doosan Bears)
1B – Park Byung-ho (KT Wiz)
2B – Kim Hye-seong (Kiwoom Heroes)
3B – Heo Kyoung-min (Doosan Bears)
SS – Park Chan-ho (KIA Tigers)
LF – Guillermo Heredia (SSG Landers)
CF – Park Hae-min (LG Twins)
RF – Hong Chang-ki (LG Twins)
Gold Glove Awards
The Gold Glove Award is given out to the best overall player at each position in the Korean Baseball Organization every year.
According to Yoo Jee-ho of the Yonhap News Agency, 28 pitchers, seven catchers, three first basemen, five second basemen, five third basemen, eight shortstops, 20 outfielders, and five designated hitters have been nominated for their performances this season.
