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KBO's star sluggers and pitching powerhouses: Key players in the 2026 hunt for glory

Published: 26 Mar. 2026, 17:17 Updated: 26 Mar. 2026, 17:22

Samsung Lions fans cheer during a preseason KBO League game between the LG Twins and Samsung Lions at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on March 22. [NEWS1]

After smashing the 12 million attendance mark for the first time last year, the KBO kicks off its 45th season on Saturday with even bigger momentum.

Even during the recent preseason games, a record-high 440,247 fans turned out, signaling another blockbuster year that could surpass last season. To keep the turnstiles spinning, the 10 KBO teams will be looking to their star players to deliver blockbuster seasons.

LG Twins’ Lee Jae-won hits a run-scoring single with two outs and a runner on second in the top of the third inning during a KBO game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, western Seoul, on Sept. 8, 2022. [YONHAP]

LG Twins: Lee Jae-won

The “Jamsil Big Boy” who hit 26 home runs last year while serving with the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, has returned. Standing at 1.92 meters (6 feet 4 inches) and weighing 105 kilograms (231 pounds), the outfielder is a feared powerhouse at the plate, ripping dingers that easily exceed 170 kilometers per hour (106 miles per hour) and travel over 130 meters. Manager Youm Kyoung-youb plans to heavily utilize Lee in left field, filling the vacancy left by Kim Hyun-soo.

Hanwha Eagles’ Wilkel Hernandez prepares for training during the Eagles’ spring training camp at Kochinda Sports Park in Okinawa, Japan, on March 4. [YONHAP]

Hanwha Eagles: Wilkel Hernandez

The Eagles lost their two star pitchers, Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss — who combined for 33 wins last year — to MLB. Their absence is expected to be filled by Hernandez and Owen White. Hernandez, in particular, has been entrusted to take the mound on Opening Day, a role previously held by Ponce. In preseason play, he struck out 10 batters over 10 innings, reaching a top velocity of 155 kilometers per hour.

SSG Landers starter Kim Keon-woo heads to the dugout after recording six strikeouts through two innings during Game 2 of the KBO semifinals against the Samsung Lions at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Oct. 11, 2025. [NEWS1]

SSG Landers: Kim Keon-woo

The Landers lost two of their three 10-win pitchers from last season, Drew Anderson and Kim Kwang-hyun. Kim Keon-woo is a candidate to support Mitch White, who posted 11 wins. Touted as Kim Kwang-hyun’s successor, the left-hander recorded a 0.90 ERA in preseason games, living up to manager Lee Soong-yong’s decision to name him the No. 2 starter. While his strikeout ability is clear, he has yet to complete a full season as a starter.

Samsung Lions’ Kim Young-woong celebrates after hitting a three-run home run with one out and runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh inning during Game 4 of the KBO postseason playoffs against the Hanwha Eagles at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on Oct. 22, 2025. [NEWS1]

Samsung Lions: Kim Young-woong

Kim has been the Lions’ most prolific Korean home run hitter in recent years, recording 50 homers over the past two seasons — 58 including the postseason. Although the infielder's preseason batting average hovered in the .100 range, three of his six hits were home runs and two were doubles. If he maintains last year’s home run rate and raises his batting average to .280, a 35-homer season is within reach.

NC Dinos’ Kim Ju-won slides home from third base during a KBO League game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Oct. 1, 2025. [NEWS1]

NC Dinos: Kim Ju-won

When asked to name the next-generation elite shortstop, most analysts point to Kim. He has long secured the starting shortstop role for his team and continues to perform consistently for the national team. Last season, he played all 144 games, batting .289 with 15 home runs. A .300-average, 20-homer season could define the Dinos’ success.

KT Wiz starter Ko Young-pyo throws a pitch in the top of the first inning during a KBO game against the Kia Tigers at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on May 21, 2025. [NEWS1]

KT Wiz: Ko Young-pyo

Ko is the highest-paid pitcher in the KBO this year, earning 2.6 billion won ($1.73 million). Despite signing a five-year, 10.7 billion won deal two years ago, he has not fully lived up to expectations over the past two seasons. The Wiz finished sixth last year, missing the postseason for the first time in six years. The team’s chances of climbing higher depend on Ko anchoring the mound.

Lotte Giants’ Kim Won-jung heads to the dugout after retiring LG Twins’ Moon Bo-gyeong on a groundout to shortstop with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning during a KBO League game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Aug. 21, 2025. [NEWS1]

Lotte Giants: Kim Won-jung

The Giants’ closer suffered a rib injury in a car accident in his hometown of Gwangju in December of last year. He missed the first spring camp in Taiwan and only began training during the second camp in Japan. With 164 saves over the past six years, Kim is a key figure in the Giants' bullpen. Although his start to the season was delayed, he completed preseason games in near-full condition.

Kia Tigers’ Kim Do-yeong hits a run-scoring double in the bottom of the fifth inning during a KBO game against the Doosan Bears at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on May 18, 2025. [YONHAP]

Kia Tigers: Kim Do-yeong

The 2024 season could be summed up in one phrase among fans: “We live because of Do-yeong.” Kim hit 38 home runs and stole 40 bases, earning him the regular-season MVP award. However, a hamstring injury limited him to just 30 games last season, as the Tigers fell from first place to eighth. After an outstanding performance in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Kim heads into the season full of confidence.

Doosan Bears starter Gwak Been delivers a pitch in the bottom of the first inning during a KBO game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul on Aug. 7, 2025. [YONHAP]

Doosan Bears: Gwak Been

“Gwak looks different this year. He’s going to make something happen,” both national team coaches and Bears catcher Yang Eui-ji have said in unison. The 2024 league leader in wins struggled last season, but regained his form at the WBC. After returning to his team, he struck out nine batters in four innings during preseason games, showcasing a fastball that reached 155 kilometers per hour. He is expected to lead the Bears’ push back into the postseason.

Kiwoom Heroes’ Lee Ju-hyeong celebrates after hitting a game-tying single with two outs and a runner on third in the top of the seventh inning during a KBO game against the Hanwha Eagles at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon on Sept. 15, 2025. [NEWS1]

Kiwoom Heroes: Lee Ju-hyeong

The Heroes currently lack a clear centerpiece. Song Sung-moon, who peaked last year, has left for a new challenge in MLB, while ace An Woo-jin remains sidelined indefinitely due to injury. As both the present and future of the team, Lee faces increasing pressure. This season will be about proving more than just potential, as manager Seol Jong-jin emphasized the team’s high hopes for Lee.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY BAE YOUNG-EUN, KIM HYO-KYOUNG, KO BONG-JUN [[email protected]]