Will the genius and the monster be targeted?
The hitters of the Korean national team are drawing attention over whether they will face Japan's ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (28, Los Angeles Dodgers) in the first round of the 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March. Japan, too, must beat Korea to advance as the group winner to the quarterfinals, so it could deploy its strongest pitcher.
Japanese media predict that Yamamoto could start in the first round against either Korea or Taiwan. In particular, left-handed ace Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels) is also expected to appear against Korea or Taiwan. It seems likely that either Yamamoto or Kikuchi will take the mound against Korea. Both are pitchers who are difficult for any hitter to crack.
Yamamoto is Japan's ace and a sure-win card. Since Korea defeated Japan in the semifinals of the 2015 Premier12, Korea had gone 0-10-1 against Japan through last year. For 10 years Korea has suffered from the samurai jinx. Korea must end the losing streak with a win, but if Yamamoto takes the mound against Korea in the first round, it will inevitably be a tough fight.
Yamamoto, who reigned as Japan's top pitcher, signed with the Dodgers for a record pitcher's contract of $325 million. His first year in the 2024 season fell short of expectations amid injuries. However, he fully adapted in the 2025 season and reemerged as a top major league pitcher. He appeared in 30 games (173 2/3 innings) and went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA. He also recorded 201 strikeouts.
He was a World Series hero. He delivered a heroic complete-game nine-inning, one-run win in game 2. In game 6 he earned a six-inning, one-run win as a starter to even the series at 3-3, and the next day he appeared as a reliever in the ninth inning of game 7 and threw a cartoonlike 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He induced a double play in a do-or-die, walk-off crisis and sealed the championship. With three games (17 2/3 innings), three wins, no losses and a 1.02 ERA, he won the MVP.
If he appears against Korea, a showdown with Korean hitters including Lee Jung-hoo, Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers) and Ahn Hyun-min (KT Wiz) will draw interest. He has faced Lee Jung-hoo several times. Lee Jung-hoo produced multiple hits at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and was the strongest among Korean hitters. However, in the major leagues he is at a disadvantage with one hit in nine at-bats (a double).
Korea's young heroes Kim Do-young and Ahn Hyun-min are also eagerly awaiting a matchup. Both players were selected for the WBC national team for the first time. Kim Do-young combines precision and power, and Ahn Hyun-min also demonstrates precision along with tremendous destructive power. They are among the KBO League players most likely to reach the major leagues. This WBC will serve as a kind of major-leaguer showcase against major league pitchers.
Yamamoto is armed with a mid-150s kph four-seam, a devastating forkball in the high 140s kph and a cut fastball, among other lethal pitches. He is an impregnable pitcher. Even if a batter strikes out in the first meeting, it is still good experience. Conversely, if Lee Jung-hoo manages to crack Yamamoto and gain recognition, and if Kim Do-young and Ahn Hyun-min show similar potential, they could take a major step toward the major leagues. A matchup with the genius and the monster, Yamamoto, would surely be motivating. <
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