When placing collectively the beginning lineup for his first sport as supervisor of the South Korean nationwide baseball workforce Saturday, Ryu Ji-hyun appeared into quite a few superior metrics.
With South Korea internet hosting the Czech Republic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, the one statistic that Ryu prioritized was weighted runs created plus, or wRC+. It is an all-encompassing hitting stat that measures a participant’s whole offensive worth and adjusts efficiency primarily based on the ballpark and league common.
A 100 wRC+ is the league common, and each level above or beneath 100 represents one share level higher or worse than the common.
Ryu has the posh of getting the reigning South Korean league chief in that class, KT Wiz outfielder Ahn Hyun-min.
The 22-year-old had a sensational rookie season within the Korea Baseball Group (KBO), main all freshmen with a .334 batting common, a .448 on-base share and a .570 slugging share, together with 22 dwelling runs and 80 RBIs. He led all KBO gamers with a 172.5 wRC+.
Ahn principally batted third within the Wiz’s lineup, however Ryu defined that he wished to have Ahn’s menace nearer to the highest of the lineup.
“Having Ahn Hyun-min within the No. 2 spot is the important thing level of our lineup,” Ryu stated in his pregame media availability on the dome. “Of many statistics, we gave essentially the most weight to wRC+. Primarily based on his efficiency within the KBO this 12 months, we felt he may also help with our run manufacturing the most effective if he bats greater within the lineup.”
This might be Ryu’s managerial debut for the nationwide workforce. He had been on the teaching workers for the previous three years earlier than getting promoted to the highest job in January this 12 months.
Ryu Ji-hyun, supervisor of the South Korean baseball workforce, chats with a member of his workers throughout a observe session at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
“I felt essentially the most strain after I was first appointed,” Ryu recalled. “Now, I’m much more relaxed, understanding that these gamers have labored so arduous to prepare for these video games.”
South Korea will play the Czechs once more Sunday after which will journey to Tokyo for 2 video games towards Japan subsequent weekend. These video games are a part of South Korea’s preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Traditional.
Earlier than the beginning of Saturday’s observe, Ryu stated he thanked his gamers for the work they’d put in for the upcoming set of video games, particularly contemplating they went again to the grind so quickly after the tip of their KBO campaigns.
“I informed them that they’re the most effective baseball gamers on this nation, and they need to be pleased with that,” Ryu added. “I perceive we could have a packed stadium the following two days, and I informed the blokes they need to attempt to placed on an excellent present for our followers.”
