This article is part of our DraftKings KBO series.
Thursday's five-game slate doesn't feature any former MLB arms, but there's an appealing array of solid pitchers near the top of the player pool. On the other hand, there's also some vulnerable arms to pick on with our hitter selections, including one pitcher making his first KBO start.
As customary, I'll highlight what I consider to be two of the safer pitching options at different price points, followed by some one-off hitters across the salary scale that could also prove profitable for cash games and/or tournaments. I'll then recommend two stacks that I trust the most to potentially string some above-average offensive numbers together and pay off for you in tournaments.
Pitchers
Je Seong Bae ($10,200) is averaging 16.0 DK points per start and has posted a solid 3.36 ERA and .236 BAA across 11 home starts. He did lose his one previous start against Hanwha this season, but he only gave up two hits over five innings in that outing while recording seven strikeouts. The Eagles have also been one of the weakest hitting teams in the KBO throughout the season, posting just 4.3 runs per game and a league-low 7.9 hits per contest as well. Hanwha also sports a KBO-worst .242 team batting average, boosting Bae's prospects further.
Jung Hyun Baek ($9,700) has forged an outstanding season that includes a 12-4 record and 2.59 ERA, along with an average of 15.2 DK points per contest. He's been at his best on the road as well, posting a 2.41 ERA and average of 15.9 DK points per road outing across 12 outings outside of his home park. The left-hander has shown some excellent upside of late also, scoring 20.4 to 36.5 DK points in four of his last seven trips to the mound. Meanwhile, the opposing LG Twins check in averaging the third-fewest runs (4.6) and third-fewest hits (8.3) per game, along with the third-lowest team batting average (.251).
ALSO CONSIDER: Woo Jin An ($7,900)
Top Targets
Baek Ho Kang ($5,900) continues to run roughshod over virtually any pitcher put in front of him, as he'll head into Thursday's contest with a .364 average and 1.014 OPS, numbers partly constituted by 33 doubles, one triple, 14 homers and 90 RBI. His work at home includes a .353 average and 10.1 DK points per game, and he's pounded Hanwha pitching for a .324 average, 1.036 OPS and average of 10.2 DK points in 11 games. Meanwhile, Eagles starter Ji Min Nam will be making his KBO debut, which could well make him a very appealing target.
Jae Hwan Kim ($5,600) carries a .295/.395/.536 slash line that includes 18 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 87 RBI, and he checks into Thursday's contest wielding a blazing hot bat. The 33-year-old sports a .474 average, 1.447 OPS and 13 RBI across his last 10 games, Kim also has enjoyed plenty of success against Kia pitching, as he owns a .375 average and has put up 10.5 DK points per game over eight contests. Tigers starter Seung Hyuk Han is an intriguing target as well, as he owns a 6.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over five appearances (two starts).
Hoon Jung ($4,500) could make for a interesting tournament value play in particular, as he's been in a slump yet still offers plenty of upside with a .302/.389/.453 slash line 36 extra-base hits and 67 RBI. Jung also has a .333 average, .887 OPS and average of 8.8 DK points per game against Landers pitching, while SSG starter Won Seok Oh has a 6-6 record, 5.55 ERA, 1.77 WHP and .272 BAA in 25 appearances (18 starts) and has pitched to a 7.27 ERA over two starts against Lotte.
Bargain Bats
Jun Woo Jeon ($4,100) is another member of the Giants that could deliver a strong return on investment. Jeon sports a stellar .322/.393/.444 slash line, and although he has only six home runs, he's also laced 34 doubles. Jeon's outstanding clutch hitting – he owns a .427 average with runners in scoring position – has led to an impressive 76 RBI, and he comes into Thursday's contest with a blistering .484 average, 1.175 OPS and average of 9.1 DK points in his last 10 games.
Woo Jun Shim ($3,900) has produced a rock-solid .293 average and .742 OPS in 55 home games, along with an impressive .294 average with runners in scoring position for the season. The veteran has a well-rounded line of 17 doubles, two triples, six homers and even 13 stolen bases, and he'll be set for the same potentially favorable matchup against rookie Ji Min Nam that Kang will draw.
Stacks To Consider
Giants vs. Won Seok Oh: Dae Ho Lee ($3,900); Jun Woo Jeon ($4,100); Hoon Jung ($4,500); Chi Hong An ($4,200)
Oh's weaknesses were already discussed in Jung's entry, and it's also worth noting when considering Lotte that the Giants have a league-high 9.4 hits per game and .274 team batting average. The salaries of these four players also makes them very easy to stack and still fit in a superstar or two.
Lee makes for a great start to the Giants onslaught, as he owns a .289 average and .807 OPS, along with 15 homers and 62 RBI. The veteran slugger has been better at home, but the matchup against Oh and Lee's tiny salary makes him a very viable tournament option.
Jeong's and Jung's attributes were already detailed in their entries, while An is averaging a solid 8.3 DK points per game, and has slashed .344/.378/.563 in nine games versus SSG pitching this season. An has struggled of late, but he still sports an outstanding .371 average with runners in scoring position, helping lead to 65 RBI.
Wiz vs. Ji Min Nam: Woo Jun Shim ($3,900); Jae Gyun Hwang ($5,200); Baek Ho Kang ($5,900); Jared Hoying ($4,500)
Nam's inexperience was already discussed in Kang's entry, and KT also checks in average a league-high 5.4 runs per game and sports an impressive .270 team batting average.
Shim's appeal was already discussed earlier, while Hwang is averaging 8.9 DK points per game and slashing .313/.377/.446. The veteran has also been absolutely lethal at home with a .398 average and 10.9 DK points per contest, and he owns a .343 average, 1.125 OPS and 14.1 DK points per game against Hanwha this season.
Kang's strong appeal was detailed in his entry, while Hoying is a cost-effective way to close out the stack. The former MLBer is hitting just .239 through his first 36 games, but the fact he's laced 15 of his 32 hits for extra bases has helped lead to 32 RBI and a solid .455 slugging percentage. He's also starting to hit his stride against KBO pitching, posting a .353 average and 11.1 DK points per contest over his last 10 games.
