This is really news like a bolt from the blue. Kim Ha-sung (Atlanta Braves), who is active in Major League Baseball (MLB), will not be able to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). But there are still countermeasures. This is the story of NC Dinos.
The Atlanta Braves stated on the team’s official website on the 19th (Korean time): “Kim Ha-sung underwent surgery due to a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger,” and “the recovery time is expected to be approximately 4 to 5 months.” It is reported that Kim Ha Sung injured his middle finger when he slipped on the ice in South Korea last week.
At this point, Kim Ha-sung will not be able to participate in the WBC held in March this year. The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) also stated on the same day: “Kim Ha-sung and Song Sung-moon (San Diego Padres) are determined not to participate in the WBC due to injuries.”
Kim Ha-sung’s departure is a very painful disadvantage for the national team led by coach Ryu Ji-hyun. Because he is the shortstop who represents Korean baseball. Kim Ha-sung was called up by Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom) 29 times in the second and third rounds of 2014. As of 2020, he has recorded a batting average of 0.294133 home runs, 575 RBIs, 134 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base rate + slugging rate) of 0.866 in a total of 891 games in the KBO League.
He has also shown a huge presence in the top leagues. He has participated in 588 games for San Diego, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Atlanta Braves, achieving a .242 (1,896 effective at-bats, 458 hits), 52 home runs, 217 RBIs, 84 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.701. In the 2023 season, he also became the first Asian infielder to win the MLB Gold Glove. After Song Sung-moon, who recently injured his rib muscle (internal abdominal muscle) during batting training, and Kim Ha-sung, coach Ryu Ji-hyun is missing, and coach Ryu Ji-hyun is in trouble.
Fortunately, there are solutions. It’s Kim Joo Won. After being selected by the NC team with the No. 6 pick in the first round of the second round of 2021, he played in a total of 570 games and achieved a batting average of 0.254 (1,766 effective at-bats, 448 hits), 49 home runs, 231 RBIs, 91 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.747.
Last year in particular was very good. With the full support of NC team head coach Lee Ho-jun, he played in 144 games with a batting average of 0.289 (539 effective at-bats, 156 hits), 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, 44 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.830. With Kim Joo-won’s outstanding performance, the NC team finally won 9 consecutive victories and miraculously entered the top 5. When the season ends, a Gold Glove at shortstop will naturally follow.
Kim Joo-won also left his mark on the national team. The 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) 2023, 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12, etc. all wear Tai Chi cheongsam and gallop on the field. In the second game of the 2025 NAVER K-BASEBALL SERIES (K-Baseball Series) against Japan at the end of last year, he hit a solo home run to tie the game with two outs at the end of the ninth inning when he was trailing 6-7, preventing the Korean team from defeat.
Since then, with Kim Ha-sung losing his job due to a sudden injury, Kim Joo-won is likely to serve as the main shortstop in the WBC. Of course there is pressure, but on the other hand it is also an opportunity to show your true worth. Whether Kim Joo-won can continue to maintain his upward momentum in the WBC is worthy of attention.
[MK体育记者 李汉柱]
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