Full Breakdown
Czechia Prepares for K-Baseball Series Against South Korea
11/2/2025, 12:51:34 PM
Czechia's Roster Announcement
Czechia has officially announced its roster for a two-game exhibition series against South Korea, scheduled for November 8-9 in Seoul. This series is part of the K-Baseball Series and serves as a preparatory event ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The roster includes 13 players from Czechia's 2023 World Baseball Classic team and 18 from the squad that achieved a historic bronze medal at the 2025 European Championship.
Key Players to Watch
The standout player for Czechia is outfielder Marek Chlup, who made history earlier this year by becoming the first Czech player to debut in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Chlup's season was marred by injury, as he fractured his hamate bone after appearing in just two games for the Yomiuri Giants. He is now a free agent and aims to use this exhibition series to attract interest from clubs in Japan or Korea.
In the absence of veteran catcher Martin Cervenka, who is unavailable for the series, Chlup will be a pivotal figure in the lineup. Catcher Martin Zelenka, considered the future of the national team, will start behind the plate. Zelenka has spent the last two seasons at Division I UNC Wilmington, where he posted a .292 batting average in 2025.
On the pitching side, right-hander Daniel Padyšák leads the staff. Padyšák had a brief stint with Oisix in Japan's minor leagues this season, where he pitched five scoreless innings before an injury sidelined him. He has since recovered and is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Another notable pitcher is David Krecek, a promising 19-year-old prospect who had an impressive season in the Czech Extraliga, striking out 94 batters in 79 2/3 innings.
Roster Breakdown
Czechia's roster is composed of the following players:
Pitchers
- Ondrej Vostatek
Catchers
Infielders
- Martin Cervinka
- Willie Escala
Outfielders
Importance of the Series
This exhibition series against South Korea is not only a chance for Czechia to fine-tune its roster ahead of the World Baseball Classic but also an opportunity for individual players to showcase their skills on an international stage. The competition will provide valuable experience, especially against a team that may feature players in the upcoming WBC.
As Czechia prepares for this significant matchup, the focus will be on how well the players can perform and what implications this series may have for their future in international baseball.
