Half-Korean big leaguer Tommy Edman to play for Korea at World Baseball Classic

Half-Korean big leaguer Tommy Edman to play for Korea at World Baseball Classic

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The 2021 National League Gold Glove winner Tommy Edman will represent South Korea, the country of his mother's birth, at the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Lee Kang-chul, the national team manager, announced his 30-man roster for the March 8-21 tournament at the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, following a meeting with his technical staff.

Lee will carry 15 pitchers, two catchers, eight infielders and five outfielders.

Edman is the first non-South Korean native to play for the country at the WBC. He was born in Michigan to an American father and a Korean mother. The WBC, unlike the Olympics, has a loose set of regulations allowing 카지노 players to represent countries of their parents' birth, even if they themselves aren't citizens there.

He is one of three active major leaguers on the squad, alongside San Diego Padres infielder Kim Ha-seong and Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Choi Ji-man.

Former major leaguers on the team are: SSG Landers pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun, formerly of the Cardinals; Kia Tigers pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong, a one-time Texas Ranger; LG Twins outfielder Kim Hyun-soo, who previously played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies; and KT Wiz infielder Park Byung-ho, a former Minnesota Twin.

At the press conference discussing his squad, Lee said he was especially sold on Edman's defensive versatility. In addition to second base, Edman can also play shortstop, third base and even outfield positions.

"His main position is second base and that's where we're going to use him mostly," Lee said. "As a Gold Glove winner, we felt Edman would make a great double play duo with Kim Ha-seong."

Kim was a finalist for the National League Gold Glove at shortstop last year and can also play second base and third base.