Lotte Giants looking good at spring training

The Lotte Giants, one of two South Korean pro baseball teams currently on Saipan for spring training, is looking good for the upcoming 2009 season of the Korean Baseball Organization.

KBO is the Major League in Korea. The Giants are one of the original franchises of the league. From 1982 through 1986 they played in Gudeok Stadium, and since then, in Sajik Baseball Stadium. They are owned by Lotte and won the KBO Championship in 1984 and 1992. Since then, they never made it to the playoffs until last year.

Third place overall in 2008 with 69 wins in 126 games played in the regular season, the Giants are pinning their hopes on three national players who helped stash away the gold medal from the U.S. in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

They are made up of reigning KBO homerun king Lee Dae Ho, catcher Kang Min Ho, and pitcher Song Sung Joon.

Lee was selected for the South Korean Junior National Team as a pitcher in 2000. The team won the 1997 World Junior Baseball Championship in Edmonton, Canada, and Lee led the attack alongside Kim Tae-Kyun, Choo Shin-Soo (the eventual MVP of the event), and Jeong Keun-Woo by hitting .400-plus batting average.

American coach Fernando Arroyo said Lee is one of the best Korean sluggers and pitchers.

“We reached the playoffs last year for the first time in eight years. I’m pretty sure that experience will help us make better than good this time,” he said during a break in the team’s training camp at the Kan Pacific Ballfield in Marpi yesterday.

Arroyo played with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and Oakland A’s and retired in 1986.

“Our three Olympians will lead us but we have another player who became a superstar in the league last year,” Arroyo said.

He was referring to second baseman Seung Hwan Cho.

The team will also again be counting on the services of Mexican import Karim Garcia, who made 29 homeruns and 115 RBIs for the Giants last year.

Garcia played with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Detriot Tigers.

Jerry Royster became the first American team manager in Korea last year and transformed the team into one of the league’s best offensive teams.

Arroyo said the Giants could capitalize on that aspect this year.

“I think that this time will have good offense and good starting pitchers. Offense really will be the key in this team. We’re looking good in training camp,” he said.

This has been the third time that the Giants are holding the camp on Saipan. They are currently staying at The Palms Resort.

The LG Twins is the other Korean pro team currently on Saipan for spring training.

The Giants have a total of 25 players, four coaches, two trainers, and six managers.

One of the managers, Bae Jae Hu, is confident the team will return to the playoffs and hopefully hit the Giants’ ultimate goal of winning the championship.

The Giants started their camp on Jan. 22. They will leave on Feb. 28.