The first temporary foreign player in KBO history. The interest from both countries in Japanese pitcher Keisho Shirakawa (23) is overwhelming.
Recruited by SSG Landers as a replacement for Roenis Elias due to an injury, Shirakawa threw his first bullpen pitch since arriving in Korea on April 26 at SSG Landers Field in Incheon. His visa hasn’t been processed yet, so he wasn’t officially registered, but he warmed up with a few practice pitches and checked out the atmosphere and conditions at home. He also greeted his SSG teammates who would be joining him.
This was the first case after the KBO implemented a system that allows foreign players to be brought in as replacements in case of injury. But it’s also a rare type of foreign player the KBO hasn’t seen before.
He is the first Japanese player in 13 years since Ken Kadokura (Samsung) in 2011, but he is an independent league player with no professional experience. He is also only 23 years old. After graduating from high school, he failed to be selected in the NPB draft and has been playing in independent leagues ever since. However, there are many cases of players in Japan who joined NPB teams after playing in social baseball teams or independent leagues. As is increasingly the case in Korea, the goal of young players like Shirakawa is to continue playing baseball, refine their skills, and eventually knock on the professional door. 안전놀이터 His former team, the Tokushima Indigo Sox, has produced NPB draft picks for 11 consecutive years, and last year’s draft saw a whopping six players go on to the pros.
After the news broke that Shirakawa would be traveling to Korea to replace SSG
The Japanese media was full of articles. The idea of an independent league player going to the Korean pro scene in itself generated a lot of interest.
In his final appearance for Tokushima after signing with SSG, the former Tokushima “ace” pitched two innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts in a middle relief appearance. His fastball topped out at 151 mph. He’s the type of pitcher who strikes out a lot of batters in the independent leagues with his fastball and demanding tempo.
If the visa process goes smoothly, he could start this weekend’s three-game series against the Kiwoom Heroes in Gocheok. He has been pitching in practice right before coming to Korea, so he should be in good shape. During his first bullpen session at Landers Field, 에볼루션 바카라사이트 Shirakawa reportedly meticulously checked the mound conditions, the difference between his pitches, and the position of his footing. “I’ve never seen a player who checks everything in such detail from the first day,” a club official said.
He also has his own routine, which he adhered to from day one, showing a professional attitude despite being an independent league player.
He hasn’t even made his debut yet,
But if Shirakawa performs beyond expectations in the KBO, it’s not out of the question that he could be offered a full-time contract. Of course, neither the club nor Shirakawa has made any concrete commitments yet. However, according to the rules, a substitute player can be replaced by an official foreign player roster, and it depends on the player’s performance and mutual agreement.
While Shirakawa’s personal goal is to be named to an NPB team, Korea is certainly a land of opportunity. Even in an overseas league, Shirakawa can expect to receive much more attention than in an independent league. If Shirakawa performs well, both the SSG organization and the player will be happy.
That is, of course, after they have achieved some success. If Shirakawa succeeds, other clubs will be forced to turn their attention to the Japanese independent leagues, 온라인 슬롯 and if the worst happens, the tide will turn in favor of the United States again. A lot depends on it.
