Jiho Park: "Korea can win the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup"

Jiho Park has finished the Opening Round of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS with the best batting average (.545) and the second-best on-base percentage (.667; Japan's Hyuma Okabe was first with .684).

The WBSC had a chance to sit with Park and discuss the tournament's trend and the future of the Korean top prospect.,
Jiho Park, a left-handed bat who has played all of Korea's six games in left field, has no secret to reveal about his extraordinary performance..

"I tried concentrate on every single moment and try to do my best. I focus on one pitch at a time and try to get the best out of it."

A senior at Gunsan Sangil High School, Park wants to be a professional player.
"I am anticipating the [Korea Baseball Organisation] KBO's Draft. It's scheduled two days after this [U-18 Baseball World Cup] tournament ends. I want to be a professional baseball player in Korea. If I don't get drafted, I will attend college and hopefully have another chance at the Draft in four years.

Before the KBO Draft, Jiho Park and the Korean U-18 National Team have other business to take care of.
"Korea is here to win. Many people in Korea believe that Japan and Chinese Taipei are better than us. We already showed we can beat Chinese Taipei. If we beat USA on Friday [September 12] we will have another chance to face Japan in the [World Championship] Final."

Jiho Park and the Korean team respect USA.
"They are a very athletic team. Their players possess a lot of power, being tall and strongly built, and can all hit the ball deep. Their pitchers have good command and will challenge with their best stuff."

What will you take home from this experience at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup?
"This is my first experience in international baseball. I'm happy I had the chance to meet players from around the world. Some of them are accustomed to playing at a higher level of competition than what we see in Korea. This experience will help me improve my game, focus more on what's important to become a better player."