With the 2026 World Baseball Classic set to begin in March, the preliminary roster for the Korea is here. Initial rosters are subject to change. Read on below for our team summary and breakdown of top players and prospects to know.

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Team Summary: While Korea is dwarfed by Japan in the continent of Asia when it comes to baseball, it’s still a formidable team with a high-level domestic professional league and a shot to advance beyond pool play. Korea lacks the stars of the upper echelon of teams in the WBC, but they do have a mix of Korean stars and American MLB players with Korean heritage. The team has no standout position group but rather, a steady balance of experience and polished strike-throwers and contact hitters.

Top Players: After missing most of his rookie season due to injury, OF Jung Hoo Lee bounced back in his second season with the Giants, hitting .266/.327/.407. He will be the linchpin of the Korean lineup. Jahmai Jones, a former top prospect for the Angels, seemed to find a rhythm at the plate in 2025 with the Tigers, hitting .287/.387/.550 with seven home runs over 72 games. 

Best Prospects: Do Yeong Kim, the 2024 KBO MVP, is one of the brightest young stars in Korean baseball. He hit .347/.420/.647 with 38 home runs and 109 RBIs in 2024 before enduring an injury-plagued 2025 season. 2025 KBO rookie of the year Hyun Min Ahn is capable of jacking pullside bombs at will if pitchers dare enter his hot zone. He hit .334/.448/.570 with 22 home runs over 112 games in his age-21 season last year. Hyun Bin Moon, a 21-year-old 2B/OF, broke out in a big way in 2025. He hit .320/.370/.453 with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases for Hanwha. 

Pool C

Japan

Australia

Korea

Czechia

Chinese Taipei

Dates/Location: March 5-10, Tokyo, Japan.

Korea World Baseball Classic Roster

playerposbatsthrowsheightweightagemlb orgclubDunning, DaneRHPRR6-0422531Go, Woo SukRHPRR6-0019827DETToledo (AAA)Gwak, BeenRHPRR6-0220926Doosan Bears (KOR)Jeong, Woo JooRHPRR6-0019419Hanwha Eagles (KOR)Jo, Byeong HyeonRHPRR6-0019823SSG Landers (KOR)Kim, Young KyuLHPLL6-0219025NC Dinos (KOR)Ko, Young PyoRHPRR6-0219434KT Wiz (KOR)Noh, Kyung EunRHPRR6-0122041SSG Landers (KOR)O’brien, RileyRHPRR6-04170#NUM!STLSt. Louis CardinalsPark, Yeong HyunRHPRR6-0020022KT Wiz (KOR)Ryu, Hyun JinLHPRL6-0324938Hanwha Eagles (KOR)So, Hyeong JunRHPRR6-0320324KT Wiz (KOR)Son, Ju YoungLHPLL6-0320927LG Twins (KOR)Song, Seung KiLHPLL5-1119823LG Twins (KOR)Won, Tae InRHPRR6-0020325Samsung Lions (KOR)Choi, Jae HoonCRR5-1020736Hanwha Eagles (KOR)Park, Dong WonCRR5-1020335LG Twins (KOR)Kim, Do Yeong3BRR6-0018722Kia Tigers (KOR)Kim, Hyesong2BLR5-1017527LADLos Angeles DodgersKim, Ju WonSSSR6-0118223NC Dinos (KOR)Moon, Bo Gyeong3B/1BLR6-0019625LG Twins (KOR)Roh, Si Hwan3B/1BRR6-0121225Hanwha Eagles (KOR)Shin, Min Jae2BLR5-0714730LG Twins (KOR)Whitcomb, Shay2BRR6-0220727HOUHouston AstrosAhn, Hyun MinRFRR6-0019822KT Wiz (KOR)Jones, JahmaiLFRR5-1021028DETDetroit TigersKoo, Ja WookLFLR6-0216532Samsung Lions (KOR)Lee, Jung HooCFLR6-0119727SFSan Francisco GiantsMoon, Hyun BinLFLR5-0918121Hanwha Eagles (KOR)Park, Hae MinCFLR5-1116535LG Twins (KOR)