Amazingly, the first half of the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization season is already nearing an end.
It feels like just yesterday that World Baseball Network previewed the upcoming campaign and identified players to watch.
With just three days left until the All-Star break, it’s time to check in on more of the latest news from the top professional baseball league in South Korea, the KBO.
Dinos Matt Davidson Out At Least Four Weeks – The NC Dinos took first baseman and designated hitter Matt Davidson off the roster on Wednesday, and announced the former six-year Major League Baseball veteran will be out four to six weeks with a broken rib.
Davidson led the KBO with 46 home runs in 2024, following a one-year stint with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2023. In Davidson’s injury announcement, the Dinos said they do not have an immediate injury replacement.
A low average hitter in MLB, Davidson hit .309/.359/.573 with 16 home runs and a .932 OPS this season before his injury.
KBO All-Star Festivites – The KBO All-Star Game is this Saturday, July 12, at Dajeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, home of the Hanwha Eagles.
The two teams, separated into the Nanum and Dream All-Stars, are set to play at the Eagles’ new ballpark, which opened at the beginning of the season. Chosun Biz EN reports that the All-Star festivities will feature a “Fan Fest Zone” where spectators can win prizes playing baseball-related games and shop for gear, including jerseys and commemorative balls.
The Nanum squad defeated the Dream team in last year’s All-Star game 4-2, and they’ve won each of the previous three editions of the contest.
https://twitter.com/twittlions/status/1937072274051604929
New Leader in Career Home Runs by Foreign Player – Mel Rojas Jr. of the KT Wiz hit his 175th career KBO home run last Thursday against the Kiwoom Heroes, becoming the league’s all-time leader in homers by a foreign player.
Rojas surpassed Tyrone Woods, who hit 174 home runs from 1998 to 2002 with the OB/Doosan Bears. It took Rojas 731 games to reach the historic milestone.
Rojas, 35, made his KBO debut in 2017 with the Wiz, winning the Most Valuable Player Award with the club in 2020. Before stops in Mexico and Japan, he played four seasons with the Wiz from 2017 to 2020, returning to South Korea with his original team at the start of 2024.
KBO Standings as of Wednesday, July 9
1. Hanwha Eagles (51-33-2)
2. LG Twins (48-37-2)
3. Lotte Giants (47-38-3)
4. Kia Tigers (45-39-3)
5. SSG Landers (43-40-3)
6. KT Wiz (44-41-3)
7. Samsung Lions (43-43-1)
8. NC Dinos (39-40-5)
9. Doosan Bears (35-49-3)
10. Kiwoom Heroes (26-61-3)
Where to Watch – Fans can stream the 2025 KBO season on the SOOP service. The KBO’s official YouTube page also posts game highlights and clips of other events, like the All-Star Game and Golden Glove awards.
WBN KBO: https://worldbaseball.com/league/south-korea/
Photo: Outfielder Rojas Jr. Mel is now the all-time foreign home run leader in the KBO, passing Tyrone Woods. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
