Korean Baseball (KBO): News, Notes, and Where to Watch

It’s now or never for all ten organizations in the KBO, as only five teams will qualify for the 2024 postseason. The biggest question is, who will be those five teams? Only time will tell.   

As the 2024 KBO season progresses, here is a look at the top news and notes from the past week in Korea’s highest level of professional baseball.  

KBO to Implement PitchCom for Pitchers   

On Monday, the KBO announced that all ten teams in the league were given PitchCom devices and additional receivers for players to wear. PitchCom technology allows teams and players to call pitches without having the catcher signal pitch choices with his fingers.  

Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday that KBO teams can use their new PitchCom beginning on Tuesday, but organizations are not required to use the technology. The pitcher, catcher, and three fielders in the KBO will be allowed to wear a device. PitchCom will not be allowed in the dugout or bullpen. 

PitchCom’s main priorities are speeding up the pitch-calling process and preventing opposing players from stealing signs from the catcher. Major League Baseball began using the technology in 2022, and it works most of the time. The only time issues arise is in the postseason, when noisy fans make it difficult for the pitcher to hear the audio.   

Phillies Prospect Signs With Lions  

Ruben Cardenas, an outfielder who reached as high as Triple-A in minor league baseball, signed a one-year, $447,000 contract with the Samsung Lions last Wednesday, reported Yonhap News Agency.  

Cardenas was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays by the Philadelphia Phillies in June, and given his numbers, he may have been close to an MLB promotion. In 75 games between Triple-A Durham and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Cardenas hit .277 with 20 home runs and 56 RBI.   

He will presumably play an essential role in the starting lineup for the Samsung Lions, who are second in the KBO behind the KIA Tigers. Cuban-American Cardenas replaces the recently released first baseman David MacKinnon on the Lions roster.   

Doosan’s Kim Taek-yeon Throws Immaculate Inning   

Doosan Bears relief pitcher Kim Taek-yeon threw the first immaculate inning by a rookie in KBO history in the ninth inning of last Wednesday’s 7-6 loss against the KT Wiz.  

According to Dan Kurtz, who runs a KBO-dedicated news account on X, Kim’s immaculate inning was the ninth ever in KBO history and the fourth by a Doosan Bears pitcher.  

Kim kept the game tied at six through the ninth inning by striking out the side on nine pitches, generating six swings and misses by KT Wiz hitters. Staying in to pitch the bottom of the 10th inning, he retired the first two batters of the frame but gave up a walk-off single to Kang Baek-ho after allowing a walk and a single before Kang’s plate appearance.  

This Day in Korean Baseball History  

On July 15, 2017, the Dream All-Stars defeated the Nanum All-Stars 13-8 in the KBO All-Star Game.  

Choi Jeong and Lee Dae-ho each hit two home runs for the Nanum All-Stars at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.  

Choi and Lee hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the first off Yang Hyeon-jong, the starting pitcher for the Nanum All-Stars. Choi is the KBO’s all-time home run record holder with 481, and Lee Dae-ho retired from professional baseball after the 2022 KBO season. He hit 14 home runs in 104 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2016.  

KBO Standings as of Monday, July 15  

1. KIA Tigers (52-35-2) 
2. Samsung Lions (48-40-2) 
3. LG Twins (48-42-2) 
4. Doosan Bears (48-42-2) 
5. SSG Landers (45-44-1) 
6. NC Dinos (42-43-2) 
7. KT Wiz (41-46-2) 
8. Hanwha Eagles (38-48-2) 
9. Lotte Giants (36-46-3) 
10. Kiwoom Heroes (37-49-0) 

Watch KBO games using the global streaming platform SOOP.  

Photo Credit: Ruben Cardenas # of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a photo during the Tampa Bay Rays Photo Day at Charlotte Sports Park on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)