Hyeseong Kim Excited to Face Japanese Teammates in WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers utility man looks forward to matchup against Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Hyeseong Kim stated he's excited to face his Japanese teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto when Team Korea takes on Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Kim, one of the few MLB players on Team Korea's roster, is looking forward to the matchup between the two powerhouse teams.

Why it matters

The matchup between Team Korea and Team Japan is highly anticipated, as the two teams have a long-standing rivalry in international baseball competitions. Kim's comments highlight the personal stakes involved, as he'll be facing off against his MLB teammates from Japan.

The details

Kim, who made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, is one of the few major league players on Team Korea's WBC roster. While he isn't the clear best player on the team, Kim made a strong impression in his first month with the Dodgers, batting over .400 with an OPS higher than 1.000. However, limited opportunities throughout the regular season led to a decline in his numbers, as he finished the year batting .280 with a .699 OPS.

  • Team Korea and Team Japan are both in Pool C, meaning they'll square off at least once before the end of the 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament.
  • The next matchup between the two teams is set for March 7, 2026.

The players

Hyeseong Kim

A utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is one of the few MLB players on Team Korea's roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Shohei Ohtani

A Japanese baseball player who plays for Team Japan and is also a teammate of Hyeseong Kim on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A Japanese baseball player who plays for Team Japan and is also a teammate of Hyeseong Kim on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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What they’re saying

“I'm definitely looking forward to it. I haven't played a ton against Team Japan with Team Korea, so I want to make sure I get to play against them this WBC. I just want to prepare the right way. It's an important game.”

— Hyeseong Kim (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This matchup between Team Korea and Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be a highly anticipated event, as the two teams have a long-standing rivalry in international baseball competitions. Hyeseong Kim's comments highlight the personal stakes involved, as he'll be facing off against his MLB teammates from Japan.