The next batter in MLB is Ahn Woo-jin... But WBC controversy announcement? Should I wait for the bomb issue
The next batter in MLB is Ahn Woo-jin... But WBC controversy announcement? Should I wait for the bomb issue
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Kiwoom has produced another graduate of the academy. This time, it is Kim Hye-sung (26, Los Angeles Dodgers). Chances are high that Ahn Woo-jin (26) will be the next batter of Kiwoom, which produced major leaguers for two consecutive years after Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco) last year. Hence, watchers predict that the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next year could become controversial.
Kim Hye-sung, who declared a major league challenge through the posting system (closed competitive bidding) ahead of the 2024 season, confirmed the contract with the LA Dodgers with 7 a.m. (Korea Standard Time) on January 4, the deadline for posting. Kim Hye-sung signed a three-year, $12.5 million guarantee contract with the Dodgers, and the Dodgers have team options in 2028 and 2029. If the Dodgers execute the option and win all the incentives for the number of at-bats between 2028 and 2029, it will expand to a three-year, maximum contract of $22 million.
Of course, it would not have been a 100% satisfactory contract for the player, but the fact that the Dodgers, the winner of the 2024 World Series and one of the most prestigious major leagues, have recruited Kim Hye-sung can read the Major League's positive view of Kim Hye-sung. Kim Hye-sung is competing for the main second base with Gavin Lux and others, and is more likely to play his role as a super utility between second base and shortstop.메이저사이트
Kiwoom also receives posting money. Kim Hye-sung's posting amount is a portion of the total amount. It depends on whether the Dodgers will execute the option in 2028 and 2029. Assuming the contract ends in three years, Kiwoom will receive 2.5 million U.S. dollars based on 12.5 million dollars. It is a considerable amount of money. Kiwoom has continued its reputation by producing its fifth player to play in the Major League after Kang Jung-ho, Park Byung-ho, Kim Ha-sung, and Lee Jung-hoo.
Many expect that no player from Kiwoom will join the Major League for the time being. Kim Ha-sung, Lee Jung-hoo, and Kim Hye-sung, who drew the attention of Major League clubs, all came out in a short period of time. Then, the next candidate is a big shot. Ahn Woo-jin, the best pitcher in the KBO League, is on the waiting list. Scouts from Major League teams have no hesitation in selecting Lee Jung-hoo as the batter and Ahn Woo-jin as the best pitcher in the KBO League. Analysts say that he is a pitcher who can sufficiently handle the situation in the Major League.
Some clubs say that Ahn Woo-jin is a starting resource that can succeed in the Major League, and that he can be a third starter unless he is a winning team. Many clubs have been watching Ahn Woo-jin for a long time and reports have been accumulated enough. However, the problem is that the waiting time for Ahn Woo-jin is too long. There is still a lot of time left to go to the Major League.
Under the current regulation, posting requirement is to complete seven seasons of registration. However, Ahn has to play for three more years as he only completes four years until 2023. There are only two seasons in 2022 and 2023 that meet the standard of 145. The number of registered days was 97 in 2018, 107 in 2019, 130 in 2020, and 139 in 2021. Two more seasons have been added to the list of shortcomings, and it is currently four years.
Ahn Woo-jin is currently on public service after elbow surgery, and the date of his call-up will be September 17, 2025. By then, the regular season is almost over, and he needs time to recover his sense of play, so his return is expected to be in 2026. If so, Ahn Woo-jin must play three more seasons in 2026, 2027, and 2028 to qualify for posting, and he can try to become a major league player after the 2028 season ends at the earliest. Ahn Woo-jin will be 30 by 2029. It can be a bit of a shame for fans who want to see Ahn Woo-jin play on a big stage.
However, there is theoretically a way to take a year dramatically. Ahn Woo-jin underwent elbow surgery at the end of the 2023 season, and his rehabilitation will be completed by the time he is released from the team in 2025. If he returns at the end of the season and fills the number of registration days, he will be able to fill six days, which was not enough at the time in 2021. And the World Baseball Classic (WBC), scheduled for March 2026, is waiting. Players who participate in the competition will be given a number of compensation days. If he participates, he or she will be given 10 basic days, and if he or she advances to the quarterfinals, 10 more days will be added.
If Ahn wins the quarterfinals or higher at WBC, he will be able to complete 15 days, which was lacking in 2020. If this happens, Ahn will have five seasons to complete by 2025. If he plays for two more seasons, 2026 and 2027, he will be able to take on the challenge of Major League Baseball.
Of course, it is not very likely, but it could be an issue. First of all, it has not been decided yet whether Kiwoom will allow Ahn to return to the mound at the end of the 2025 season. It is a matter to watch then. Playing in the WBC is an issue for the entire league. When he was in high school, Ahn was given three years' disciplinary action by the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee over school violence. According to regulations, participation in the Olympics or Asian Games is prohibited. However, the WBC, hosted by the Major League Secretariat and led by the KBO, is allowed to play.
In 2023, the national team did not select Ahn Woo-jin because it felt burdened with the afterimage of school violence issues remaining too large. And without top pitcher Ahn Woo-jin, the national team failed the preliminary round, revealing problems with the starting team. We have no choice but to agonize again ahead of the 2026 tournament. There is also a problem that Ahn Woo-jin's actual absence is too long because the competition is held before the season, not after the season. It is not a problem that will surface immediately, but the controversy is expected to heat up at that point.