Kim Do-yeong puts Asian Games gold ahead of KBO home run race as Tigers star joins Korea roster for Japan

The Kia Tigers' Kim Do-yeong is tied for the most home runs in Korean baseball this season. He has also, by his own admission, given up on winning the home run title.

The third baseman was named on Thursday to Korea's roster for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, which is set to open in September. His selection came as no surprise, and he was glad to make it. The KBO season will not pause for the tournament, so Kim will be away from the league for at least two weeks while the home run chase continues without him.

"Home run king? I've given up on that one for now," Kim said with a laugh.

Kim and Austin Dean of the LG Twins each had 19 home runs as of Saturday, level at the top of the league. Kim reached the mark on Tuesday. Dean caught him the next day with two home runs in a single game, his 18th and 19th. Choi Jeong of the SSG Landers sat third with 15, and no one else was close.

"I can't help being aware of it, but honestly, I've given up," Kim said. "It could be tough because I have to go to the Asian Games." He added, half-joking: "So personally, I'm telling myself, 'If I'm still in first place going into the Asian Games, then I'm the champion.'"

Neither player has won a home run title. Kim, at 22 years old and in his fifth professional season, came straight out of high school. Dean, aged 32 and in his fourth KBO season, arrived from the major leagues. The two differ in age, nationality, playing style and career path, and their evenly matched race has become one of the most talked-about story lines in Korean baseball this season.

Kim had nothing but praise for his rival.

"He's the best foreign hitter I've seen in my five pro seasons," Kim said. "Every time he comes up, you feel like he's going to do something. He has a good eye at the plate and great chemistry with his teammates. He's perfect in every way, an outstanding player."

Kia is sending three players to the Asian Games: infielder Kim, closer Sung Yeong-tak and outfielder Park Jae-hyun. Each club was limited to three players on the final roster, and Kia was the only team to fill all of its spots with players who have yet to complete their military service. An Asian Games gold medal earns Korean men an exemption from the country's mandatory service.

The oldest of the three Kia players and the KBO's 2024 MVP, Kim is central to Korea's bid for a fifth straight Asian Games gold in baseball. A healthy Kim is exactly what both his club and the national team need.

Kim knows what is being asked of him.

"At the World Baseball Classic in March, I was one of the youngest on the team," he said. "This time I'm going in with more years and more experience than most of the other players." He added: "I want to pass on as much as I can to the younger players coming with me. I'm thinking only about winning."

Kia manager Lee Beom-ho backed him.

"Kim is going to do well, no question," Lee said. "But he can't do it all on his own. There are a lot of good hitters in the middle of the order, so if everything comes together, it'll produce the best result for the national team too."

BY BAE YOUNG-EUN [[email protected]]