[EPN News] The World Baseball Classic (WBC) team, grappling with a series of injuries, has made an urgent addition to their roster. Kim Hyung-jun of the NC Dinos has been called up as a new catching option.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced changes to the 30-man WBC roster on February 10. Kim Hyung-jun will replace Hanwha’s Choi Jae-hoon, who was forced to withdraw due to injury.
The 2026 WBC South Korean national team’s journey has been rocky from the start. Key players like Song Seong-mun and Kim Ha-seong have fallen to injuries, while Moon Dong-joo ultimately missed the final cut due to fitness concerns.
The Hanwha Eagles reported on February 8 that Choi Jae-hoon fractured his hand after being struck by a ball during defensive drills. His recovery is expected to take 3-4 weeks. This left Park Dong-won as the sole catcher on the national team, creating an urgent need for a backup.
Manager Ryu Ji-hyun swiftly tapped Kim Hyung-jun as the replacement. Despite focusing on rehab for a palm fracture after last season, Kim reportedly participated fully in the team’s January training camp in Saipan, suggesting he’s back in game shape.
Kim Hyung-jun, the 9th overall pick in the 2018 KBO draft, has been NC’s primary catcher since returning from military service. Last season, he played 127 games, hitting .232 with 18 home runs and 55 RBIs. His .734 OPS and impressive 35.6% caught-stealing rate earned him recognition for his defensive prowess. These performances led to him winning both the 2025 KBO Gold Glove for catchers and the Real Gloves Award.
Kim brings substantial international experience to the table. He’s represented South Korea in several tournaments, including the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), and the 2024 Premier12. His standout performance helped South Korea clinch gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
With his wealth of experience, all eyes are on Kim Hyung-jun to shore up the national team’s catching corps and bring stability to the position as they prepare for the upcoming WBC.
Photo: Hanwha Eagles
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