KBO league aces are planning to open the third act of baseball life in the minor leagues this year, so attention is focused on their moves.
This offseason, there are approximately 6 to 8 pitchers who went to the United States and signed minor league contracts, not major league contracts, without renewing contracts with their own or other KBO clubs.
A representative pitcher is former SSG Landers Wilmer Font. Font dominated last year with a one-two punch with Kim Gwang-hyun, posting 13 wins and 6 losses and an average ERA of 2.69, including ‘9 Inning Semi-Perfect’ in the opening game. SSG, of course, had a plan to renew the contract, but Font refused and went on to try again in the major leagues.
However, the news that came out at the point where it was about two months after the start of the offseason was a minor contract. He signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and was invited to spring training. You have to pass the competition to enter the major league roster, but nothing is guaranteed.
However, San Diego also signed a minor contract with another pitcher from the KBO. Aaron Brooks, former KIA Tigers ace. Brooks, who recorded 14 wins and 9 losses and an average ERA of 2.79 at the KIA in 2020-2021, tried to enter the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals last year, but failed. This year, he aims to reenter the big league again in San Diego. It is clearly in competition with fonts.
Robert Stark, who appeared in 29 games for the Doosan Bears last year and threw 165 innings, posted 9-10 and an average ERA of 3.60. In the case of Stark, he raised expectations last year by throwing a fastball of up to 158.2 km, but lost trust due to jagged pitching after the summer. In the United States, his control and stamina are considered key to his success.
Recently, news has been heard that Andrew Suarez from the LG Twins has signed a minor league contract with St. Louis. Suarez pitched for the Japanese professional baseball Yakult Swallows last year, but failed to win a single win in the first team and ended up packing his bag. Suarez, who had a powerful pitching with 10 wins and 2 losses and an average ERA of 2.18 at LG in 2021, refused LG’s renewal of the contract and moved to Japan, but marked an average ERA of 6.23 in 6 games in the first team and was kicked out again.
Last year’s NC Dinos Matt Dermody and KIA Tigers Thomas Panoni also signed minor league contracts with the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee this winter, respectively, and are facing major challenges. 먹튀검증
In addition, KT Wiz former Audrey Samer Despaine and 2021 KBO League MVP Ariel Miranda are also looking for a new team in the United States, and news of a minor league contract is expected to come soon. After renewing a contract with Doosan last year for $1.9 million, Miranda could not overcome the aftermath of an injury and was kicked out early. After recovering from his injuries, Miranda is now said to be undergoing individual training in the United States.
On the other hand, Tyler Appler from Kiwoom Heroes and Sean Morimando from SSG continue their active career in the Taiwan Professional Baseball (CPBL), not the United States. It seems that he made a general choice for pitchers who are shunned in the United States, Japan, and Korea.
Unlike them, Drew Luchinski, a former NC ace, is raising expectations by signing a major league contract with the Oakland Athletics. Local media are predicting that Luchinski will take the starting position. His contract is conditional on receiving up to $8 million per 1+1 year.
Among pitchers from the KBO, Merrill Kelly is cited as the most successful case of entering the major leagues. After throwing 4 seasons at SK Wineburns, Kelly signed a 2+2 year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks for up to $15 million in 2018, fully digested the 4 seasons, and signed an extension contract of $18 million for 2023-2024 during last year’s season. It has laid the foundation for success and a long run. In particular, he emerged as Arizona’s ace with 13 wins and 8 losses and an average ERA of 3.37 in 33 games last season.