Korea's alternative infield plan goes awry in exhibition loss

• Published date: 06 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

With his regular third baseman Choi Jeong under the weather for a few days, Korea manager Lee Kang-chul had to resort to his plan B for his infield defense at the start of an exhibition game Monday ahead of the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

But that plan blew up on his face against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, where a usually sure-handed backup shortstop committed two errors in a span of minutes.

Up against the reigning Japan Series champions, Oh Ji-hwan got the start at shortstop, with Kim Ha-seong, a National League Gold Glove finalist at shortstop last year for the San Diego Padres, playing third base in Choi's place.

On paper, the plan looked as though it would work. Oh is regarded as the top defensive shortstop in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), after years of impressive development with his glove. And Kim has experience playing the hot corner both in the KBO and the majors. Though Choi's condition meant the all-major league double play combo of Kim and St. Louis Cardinals star Tommy Edman had to be broken up, Korea still appeared to have solid...