SOUTH KOREA – SK Wyverns will be chasing history when the 2009 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season gets underway on Saturday. The reigning Korean champion has captured back-to-back KBO titles, and is seeking to join the Haitai Tigers (now the Kia Tigers) as the only team to win three consecutive league titles.

Arguably among the top squads in Asia a year ago, SK will enter the new season as the leading contender to claim yet another championship. But several teams led by the Lotte Giants, Doosan Bears, and even the LG Twins have their sights set on dethroning the Korean titleholders.

2009 PREDICTED FINISH
1. SK WYVERNS
2. LOTTE GIANTS
3. HANHWA EAGLES
4. DOOSAN BEARS
5. SAMSUNG LIONS
6. LG TWINS
7. KIA TIGERS
8. HEROES

THE CONTENDERS

SK WYVERNS – 2008 KBO Most Valuable Player and staff ace Kim Kwang-hyun anchors the pitching corps for manager Kim Sung-keun’s squad. Kim posted a 16-4 record with a 2.39 ERA last year while striking out 150 in 162 innings. A pair of new foreign hurlers, Mike Johnson and CJ Nitkowski, replace last year’s import pitchers Kenny Rayborn and Esteban Yan. Other key staff members includes Chae Byeong-yong (10-2) and Jeong Dae-hyeon (20 saves). Third baseman Choi Jeong hit a team-high .328 last season while centerfielder Park Jae-hong smacked 19 homers.

LOTTE GIANTS – Former major leaguer Jerry Royster steered the Giants to a third place finish in 2008, and the team went a league-best 11-1 during exhibition games this spring. Staff ace Son Min-han was 12-4 with a 2.97 ERA in 179 innings last year while starters Song Seung-jun (12-7) and Jang Won-jun (12-10) also pitched effectively. Signed American Jon Adkins to help stabilize an inconsistent bullpen. Karim Garcia (30 HR, 111 RBI), Lee Dae-ho (18 HR, 94 RBI), Cho Seong-hwan (.327, 27 2B) and former Doosan catcher Hong Seong-heun (.331) form the nucleus of a formiable batting lineup.

TEAMS TO WATCH

HANHWA EAGLES – Manager Kim In-sik led the Korean national team to a runner-up finish at the second World Baseball Classic last month and enters the new season in the final year of his contract. Staff ace Ryu Hyeon-jin (14-7), who struck out 143 in 165 2/3 innings last season, and closer Brad Thomas (31 saves) are the top pitchers. Kim Tae-kyun slugged a league-high 31 homers a year ago and is joine by third baseman Lee Beom-ho and designated hitter Kim Tae-won as the leading offensive theats. Also, former major leaguer Victor Diaz was signed to add extra pop to an already potent batting order.

DOOSAN BEARS - The loss of staff ace Matt Randel (injury) was a serious setback but skipper Kim Kyung-moon’s squad, which has reached the Korean Series the past two seasons, shoul once again contend for the league crown. Jeong Jae-hoon, who recorded 18 saves in 2008, is expected to move into the starting rotation. Offensively, KBO batting champion Lee Hyeon-su (.357) and Kim Dong-ju (19 HR) are the top hitters.

BEST OF THE REST

SAMSUNG LIONS – The Lions won back-to-back titles before the SK Wyverns dynasty came to power. Can manager Seon Dong-ryeol win his third title in the fifth and final year of his contract?

LG TWINS - The league doormat last season, the Twins have not advanced to the playoffs since 2002. However, the addition of free agents Jeong Sung-hun, Lee Jin-young, and Park Byung-ho should help LG escape the cellar.

KIA TIGERS – World Baseball Classic standout Yoon Seok-min is the ace of the pitching staff while former major leaguers and hometown stars Seo Jae-woong and Choi Hee-seop headline the offensive lineup.

HEROES - The return of manager Kim Si-jin will not be enough to help the Heroes escape the league cellar.

Photo courtesy of josephhalfinkorea.blogspot.com

Tags: South Korea