captains of 10 KBO Baseball teams for the 2025 season

in short and bold, the role of a captain is to lead the team through play on the field and unite the players in the locker room, especially in a league like the KBO, where the season is long and there are many variables such as injuries, slumps, and team chemistry! The captain is not necessarily the most experienced or highest paid player on the team. in the KBO, each team has its own way of choosing a captain, with the manager nominating the captain or the players voting on the captain. The captains of the 10 teams have been finalized ahead of the 2025 season, so let’s take a look at them today

did you know the role of the captain in baseball?

Na Sung-beom, Kia Tigers

the Tigers’ leadoff hitter, Na Sung-beom, is considered one of the best hitters in the KBO. He originally played for the NC Dinos before joining Kia as a free agent in 2022, and has been a mainstay of the team ever since.He has a combination of power and accurate contact, so expect to see him hit 20 home runs every three years, barring injury!

defensively, he’s also a steady presence in the KIA outfield, and as a veteran, I think he sets an example for the younger players. Injuries took him off the field for a bit in the second half of the season, but despite that, I think he’ll continue to be a key player in the Tigers’ batting order this season

samsung Lions Gu Jauk

the franchise star of the Samsung Lions, Koo Ja-rook is a versatile hitter with quick feet and precise hitting ability. He has been a consistent performer for Samsung, playing both center field and right field, and is responsible for the team’s outfield defense. With his wide defensive range and strong shoulders, he keeps Samsung’s outfield defense steady.On offense, Koo has developed into a long-hitting hitter while maintaining his classic shift-hitting style, and he also has good base running sense to put pressure on opposing batteries

LG Twins Park Hae-min

LG Twins’ Park Hae-min is arguably one of the best outfielders and quickest hitters in the KBO. He has been one of the league’s best stealers since his days with the Samsung Lions and has continued to put up solid numbers at Jamsil Baseball Stadium since his free agency.He is a table-setter, using his quick feet and aggressive baserunning ability to maximize his team’s scoring potential. In addition to his wide defensive range in the outfield and accurate batting judgment, his experience also allows him to play an important role in showing younger players how to play the game

yang-Ji Yang, Doosan Bears

considered one of the best catchers in the league, Yang-ji is the Doosan Bears’ best catcher. Rejoining the team as a free agent from NC ahead of the 2023 season, Yang-ji is perhaps the most complete catcher in the league, with his ability to read pitchers, strong shoulders, and excellent hitting ability.In other words, he is a tremendous presence on offense as well as defense. His ability to come through in big games and work well with pitchers like an experienced veteran makes him invaluable to the development of Doosan’s young guns

Jang Seong-woo, KT Wiz

kT Wiz catcher Jang Sung-woo is one of the most experienced defensive catchers in the game. Since turning pro in 2009, he’s played for Lotte, Samsung, and now KT Wiz, and he’s been a stalwart in the outfield, providing a mix of defense, pitcher’s interference, and blocking to help keep pitchers comfortable on the mound.He’s also been quite good at the plate for a catcher, consistently hitting double-digit home runs and proving to be a threat at the plate

SSG Landers Kim Kwang-hyun

A left-handed ace representing the KBO League! Kim Kwang-hyun is one of the best pitchers in Korea, and I think he has matured into a more mature pitcher since his debut in 2007. He has a great fastball and slider combination, and his game management skills as an experienced veteran are also excellent.His biggest strength is his overwhelming game management ability, but also his strong mentality in big games, and he plays a strong leadership role in the team, passing on his experience to younger pitchers. Kim Kwang-hyun is still the centerpiece of SSG’s starting lineup and is essential for the team to make the leap to the championship

jeon Jun-woo, Lotte Giants

lotte Giants veteran outfielder Jeon Jun-woo is regarded as the team’s franchise star and most consistent hitter. He is an all-around hitter who can hit accurately, get on base consistently, and come through in the clutch. He can also play a variety of roles, from leadoff to center field, and maintains a steady batting average throughout the season.He primarily plays left field, where he plays solid defense based on his experience and gives a lot of advice to his younger teammates

chae Eun-sung, Hanwha Eagles

After growing up with the LG Twins, Chae Eun-sung joined the Hanwha Eagles as a free agent in 2023 and has since become the centerpiece of the team. She is a key player in the Hanwha batting lineup with a strong combination of power and contact, and while her primary position is in the outfield, she has recently started playing first base, making her a multi-position player.

her biggest strength is her ability to solve problems in the outfield, which is essential for a team like Hanwha that lacks scoring power.In the 2024 season, Hanwha is rebuilding around young players, and the presence of a veteran like Chae will be even more important

NC Dinos Park Min-woo

park Min-woo of the Dinos is the team’s franchise star and one of the best second basemen in the KBO. Since joining the team in 2013, he has been a steady anchor of the team’s infield and is an all-around player with accurate contact, speed, and reliable defense.His biggest strength is his ability to bat leadoff or second, consistently posting high on-base percentages and making bold plays on the basepaths to score runs. Defensively, Park also anchors the NC infield and is a must-have for the team to perform well

kiwoom Heroes Song Sung-moon

the fiercest player on the team is Heroes’ Song Sung-moon. He is a multiplayer who can play all positions in the infield and contributes greatly to the team both offensively and defensively. Song Sung-moon’s energy and ability to make contact at the plate and act as a fixer when needed is enough to make him the captain of the team.He can also play second, third, and shortstop on defense, which is why he plays such a big role in the infield defense, and I think he will be able to make another leap forward in the 2025 season

wrapping Up – The captains of each team this season aren’t just leaders, they’re important players on the team!

we can’t wait to see how the captains perform in the 2025 KBO League, and we can’t wait for the start of the season, which is almost upon us!