South Korea has announced its 24-man roster for the Asian Games baseball tournament. The tournament will be held in Okazaki and Toyohashi, Japan, from September 21-27.
South Korea enters the tournament as the four-time defending champion and has won six of the last seven Asian Games baseball gold medals. With a roster loaded with KBO talent, the Koreans are expected to be among the favorites to capture another championship.
Players to Watch
Do-yeong Kim
KIA Tigers third baseman Do-yeong Kim headlines a star-studded South Korean roster.
Kim won the KBO MVP Award in 2024 after hitting 38 home runs, driving in 109 runs, stealing 40 bases and leading the league with a 1.067 OPS. After an injury-plagued 2025 season, he has returned to elite form in 2026.
Kim owns a .940 OPS and is second in the KBO with 20 home runs while being tied for third with 58 RBIs. After representing South Korea at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Kim is set to make his Asian Games debut and will be the team’s most talented player.
Hyun-bin Moon
Another player to watch is Hanwha Eagles outfielder Hyun-bin Moon.
The 22-year-old was a reserve outfielder for South Korea at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and has emerged as one of the KBO’s brightest young stars this season. Moon is slashing .281/.381/.479 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs.
His plate discipline has taken a significant step forward. Moon has increased his walk rate from 6.4% to 12.9% while lowering his strikeout rate from 13.8% to 10.6%. He is making harder contact, showing more power, and has become one of the league’s most complete offensive players.
Moon is one of only two KBO players with at least 40 walks and no more than 33 strikeouts this season. He is expected to be South Korea’s starting left fielder at the Asian Games.
Been Gwak
On the pitching side, Doosan Bears ace Been Gwak is a key name to watch.
After appearing for South Korea at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Gwak has enjoyed a breakout season. He owns a 3.12 ERA and leads the KBO with a 2.87 FIP and 95 strikeouts while averaging a career-best 11 strikeouts per nine innings. He very well could be the next Korean to head stateside in the next couple of years.
Featuring a fastball that reaches 98 mph, Gwak is one of the hardest throwers in the KBO and will lead South Korea’s rotation during the tournament.
Young-woo Kim
Another pitcher to watch is LG Twins right-hander Young-woo Kim.
The 21-year-old reliever has quickly established himself as one of the most intriguing young bullpen arms in the KBO during just his second professional season. Kim has posted a 2.70 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.
A potential future closer for the Twins, Kim will play a significant role in South Korea’s bullpen and will be one of the most electric arms on the pitching staff.
Roster:
RHP Young-woo Kim (LG Twins)
RHP Byeong-hyeon Jo (SSG Landers)
RHP Yeong-hyun Park (KT Wiz)
RHP Hyeong-jun So (KT Wiz)
RHP Yeong-tak Sung (KIA Tigers)
RHP Been Gwak (Doosan Bears)
RHP Min-seok Choi (Doosan Bears)
LHP Chan-seung Bae (Samsung Lions)
LHP Won-seok Oh (KT Wiz)
LHP Jin-uk Kim (Lotte Giants)
C Gun-hee Kim (Kiwoom Heroes)
C Hyeong-woo Cho (SSG Landers)
IF Bo-gyeong Moon (LG Twins)
IF Si-hwan Roh (Hanwha Eagles)
IF Jun-jae Jeong (SSG Landers)
IF Jae-hyeon Lee (Samsung Lions)
IF Ju-won Kim (NC Dinos)
IF Do-yeong Kim (KIA Tigers)
IF Jun-soon Park (Doosan Bears)
OF Hyun-bin Moon (Hanwha Eagles)
OF Dong-hee Yoon (Lotte Giants)
OF Ji-chan Kim (Samsung Lions)
OF Jae-hyun Park (KIA Tigers)
Photo: South Korea players celebrate after defeating Australia in their World Baseball Classic game on Monday, March 9, 2026 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
