Yang Hyeon-jong and Na Seong-beom, the pillars of KIA, will participate in an international competition together for the first time in 9 years. Starting with the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Yang Hyeon-jong has been named in major international competitions, including the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, the 2017 WBC, the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, and the 2019 Premier12.

On the other hand, Na Seong-beom is going to an international competition after a long time following the 2014 Incheon Asian Games 토토 and the 2015 Premier 12. There were not a few cases where both of them failed to participate in the national team due to the aftermath of injuries and major league challenges. It remains to be seen whether the two will continue the good memories of Incheon nine years ago at the upcoming WBC.

Na Seong-beom newly joined KIA, signing a six-year, 15 billion won contract in the 2021-2022 FA market. Yang Hyeon-jong returned after arranging his life in the United States for a year. The pitching pillar of 25.3 billion won led KIA to advance to the postseason in 4 years.

Na Seong-beom proved his competence from the first season of his transfer to KIA. Among last year’s KBO League outfielders, he took the Golden Glove with excellent stats after Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom) and Jose Pirella (Samsung). Yang Hyeon-jong was somewhat sluggish in the second half, but his durability was still the same.

There is no reason for the pillars of the KIA to become the pillars of the WBC national team. However, it is expected that he will play a very important role in the national team. First of all, Yang Hyeon-jong is expected to play various roles at any time as he has a lot of experience in international competitions. He, along with Kim Gwang-hyun (SSG), will play a decisive role at an important moment as the eldest brother on the national team mound. Since it is a tournament with a pitch limit, the position is virtually meaningless.

Na Seong-beom actually reserved the right fielder for the national team. The outfield of the national team consists of Na Seong-beom, Lee Jung-hoo, Kim Hyeon-soo, Park Hae-min (above LG), and Park Kun-woo (NC). Kim Hyeon-soo and Lee Jung-hoo are expected to play left fielder and center fielder, Park Hae-min as the runner and large defense, and Park Kun-woo as the right-handed hitter. Of course, Park Hae-min and Park Gun-woo are also expected to have various combinations as they are comparable to the main players.

Na Seong-beom tried to advance to the major leagues through the posting system in the 2020-2021 offseason, when he was in NC, and tasted bitterness. If you faithfully carry out a 6-year contract at KIA, it is virtually impossible to enter the major leagues. However, now that you are free from health issues, and your skills are still intact, you can build your pride by proving that you are ‘for international use’ if you show off your health at the WBC.

The goal of the WBC team this time is to enter Florida. We are determined to succeed in advancing to the semifinals for the first time in 14 years since the 2009 tournament. Side by side, the stage of revenge for Yang Hyeon-jong and Na Seong-beom, who have bad memories in the United States, will soon unfold. We must bring the spirit of Incheon to Florida.