LG Tops the List with 7 Players, KIA Has Only One... But That One Is Seong Yeong-tak

[Financial News] The KBO Power Enhancement Committee has announced the roster for the national team that will compete in the K-BASEBALL SERIES against the Czech Republic and Japan this November.
A total of 35 players have been selected: 18 pitchers, 3 catchers, and 14 fielders. This roster is essentially composed of players regarded as both the present and future of Korean baseball. The LG Twins demonstrated their championship pedigree by sending an impressive seven players. SSG Landers, NC Dinos, and Doosan Bears also contributed multiple representatives to the squad.
However, last year’s Korean Series champions, the Kia Tigers, had only one player selected—Seong Yeong-tak. This may come as a surprise. Yet, upon closer examination, this single selection speaks volumes. Thanks to Seong Yeong-tak, the Kia Tigers were far from irrelevant on this national team roster.
Chosen in the 10th round of the draft, Seong Yeong-tak’s name barely made headlines at the time. Nevertheless, he quietly and diligently climbed the ranks in his own way. Early in the season, he showed marked improvement in the Futures League, and once given the opportunity, he quickly secured his role as a reliable reliever for the team.

Even as the Kia Tigers faltered late in the season and slipped out of contention, Seong Yeong-tak remained steady. While regulars struggled with injuries and poor form, he consistently held down the mound, earning the trust of fans who began calling him 'Seong Yeong-tak you can count on.' Manager Lee Bum-ho even declared he would 'protect' him, shutting him down early for the season.
In 45 games and 52.1 innings, he posted a 1.55 ERA. In a season where the Kia Tigers’ bullpen collapsed, the presence of Seong Yeong-tak and Jeon Sang-hyun shone brightly.
The fact that the Kia Tigers sent only one player to the national team is certainly symbolic. It reflects the team’s overall decline and the lack of star power representing the league. Yet, the fact that this one player is Seong Yeong-tak carries even greater significance. Amid a bleak reality, he stood out as a beacon of hope.
No matter what anyone says, the 2025 season for the Kia Tigers will be defined by the emergence of Seong Yeong-tak. His selection to the national team proves that his name is no longer just recognized among Kia fans, but has become one to watch across all of Korean baseball.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter