Na Seong-beom (34, KIA Tigers) does not have a deep relationship with the Taegeuk mark. He is an outfielder representing the KBO League, but has only had two national team experiences since his first-team debut in 2013. The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 held in 2015 was the last.
Na Seong-beom, who will compete in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next month, laughed, saying, “I think I’m nervous because I was selected for the first time in eight years (as a national representative).” Na Seong-beom is one of six outfielders included in the WBC final entry. Considering that Lee Jeong-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes) and Kim Hyeon-soo (LG Twins) are highly likely to start, they are expected to compete with Park Gun-woo (NC Dinos) for a spot in the outfield.
He said, “(Premier 12) was young, so I did a lot of things while helping seniors without knowing anything. (Now) I was selected when I was older. said. Among the outfielders named in the WBC final entry, Park Hae-min (LG Twins) and Choi Ji-hoon (SSG Landers) are likely to be backup outfielders or runners-up.
Na Seong-beom wore a KIA uniform as a free agent (FA) in December 2021 for 6 years, up to 15 billion won (down payment 6 billion won, total annual salary 6 billion won, option 3 billion won). He left NC, where he had been with him since his debut, and chose a new challenge. Being selected for the WBC baseball team means that he successfully spent his first season after moving to KIA. In fact, Na Seong-beom participated in all 144 games and recorded a batting average of 0.320 (180 hits in 563 bats), 21 homers, and 97 RBIs. The combined OPS of on-base percentage (0.402) and slugging percentage (0.508) reaches 0.910. 3rd in the league behind Lee Jeong-hoo (0.996) and Jose Pirella (Samsung Lions, 0.910). His batting average in scoring position was as high as 0.316, so he played the role of a solver.
He said, “It’s always good to be selected as a national representative. If you always call me, I’m ready.” and was satisfied.
The WBC kicks off on March 8 (local time). Since it is a tournament held prior to the opening of the KBO League (April 1, 2023 season), there are many variables. Athletes participating must build up their bodies faster than in previous years. Pitchers, who are sensitive to shoulder conditions, have a lot of burden, but batters are also unfamiliar with it. Na Seong-beom also pulled the schedule and digested it. When he was doing strength training, he went into technical training. He said, “It’s my first time doing this, so I don’t know how to do it, but I’m doing it according to the game (contest) as much as possible.” 안전놀이터
The WBC is called the so-called ‘Baseball World Cup’. Unlike the Olympics or Asian Games, it is a national competition in which all active big leaguers are mobilized. Na Seong-beom said, “I didn’t look closely, but I searched for who was selected (in other countries where I competed). Everyone is great and they all seem to be ace-level pitchers.” .
The Korean baseball team, led by coach Lee Kang-cheol, was in Group B in the first round. They have to fight for a ticket to advance to the second round, which is given to Australia, China, and the Czech Republic, as well as Japan, the ‘rival of destiny’. What does Na Seong-beom think is the strength of Korean baseball? He said, “It is like the color of our country to not give up until the end.”