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Korean starter for WBC opener trying to take things one pitch at a time

Published: 04 Mar. 2026, 18:20 Updated: 05 Mar. 2026, 12:55

Korean pitcher So Hyeong-jun pitches during a practice game against the Samsung Lions at Kadena Baseball Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 26. [YONHAP]

When Korean right-hander So Hyeong-jun was first told a few days ago that he would start the team's first game of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) against the Czech Republic, he started feeling the pressure immediately.

It's not just any first game for Korea. The country lost its first games at each of the past three WBC tournaments and failed to make it past the first round on all three occasions. Losing yet another opener will likely spell more WBC disaster for Korea.

“Of course, there's pressure, and I know I have to go out there and do my job,” So told reporters at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday, the eve of the Czech Republic game. “The team has shown me enough trust for this important assignment, and I will try to live up to that expectation.”

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun announced earlier in the day that So will be followed by Jeong Woo-joo. During the first round, all pitchers will be limited to a maximum of 65 pitches per outing, thus making it necessary for teams to prepare a long reliever to cover the middle innings.

For his part, So said he won't be on the mound counting down his pitches.

“I will just try to focus on one pitch at a time,” he said. “That way, I will get to 50 or 65 pitches, whatever it is. I will just stay locked in on each and every pitch.”

The upstart Czech Republic team will be a big underdog against Korea, but So said he will be wary of some of the right-handed power bats in the European team's lineup.

“They have some power hitters who can drive the ball,” he said. “I will try to limit any big damage and avoid giving up extra-base hits, because those can lead to some crooked numbers.”

So also played on the 2023 team but wasn't at his sharpest, allowing two runs in 3 1/3 frames across two outings. He vowed things will be different this time.

“Physically, I am in a better spot now than the last tournament,” he said. “And I think the vibe in the club house is much more positive this time around. This has been the best national team that I've been a part of.”

Korean pitcher So Hyeong-jun speaks during a pregame press conference at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 4. [NEWS1]

Jeong, the 19-year-old right-hander on the verge of his WBC debut, said he wants to eat up as many innings as possible within the pitch count limit.

“I want to help the team get off on the right foot in the first game,” Jeong said. “I don't want to mess up our pitching plans. If I can keep things steady, then I think it's going to help the team in the games coming up.”

Jeong acknowledged he hasn't been very efficient when it comes to pitch counts and will try to learn from veterans on the team — namely, major leaguer Dane Dunning, who worked three innings on just 37 pitches against the Orix Buffaloes in an exhibition game Tuesday.

“I think I will have to get ahead in the count,” Jeong said. “It was impressive how Dunning was able to work efficiently and throw breaking balls for strikes at any count. That's how I want to be as a starting pitcher, and it's something I want to learn from him.”

Yonhap