Three of the five foreign pitchers who entered the KBO this year for $1 million have been released by their clubs.
On June 6, the KIA Tigers claimed Shawn Anderson off waivers from the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). Anderson, who signed for a total of $1 million, including a $100,000 signing bonus, $600,000 in salary, and a $300,000 option, left the KBO after posting a 4-7 record with a 3.76 ERA in 14 games this season.
Up until April, Anderson was 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA. However, he struggled in May, losing three games and posting a 7.71 ERA.
Anderson was removed from the first team at the end of May for a brief rebuild. Upon his return, he went 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA in four starts. However, he was unconvincing afterward, as a blister on his finger pushed back his pitching schedule.
After slipping to the bottom of the standings, KIA eventually released Anderson. In his place, the team brought in Thomas Pannoni, who was with the team in 2022. “We wanted a little better player, a proven player, and we need a stable player to win a little more, so we made the change,” explained KIA head coach Kim Jong-guk.
Earlier, KIA also released another foreign pitcher, Adonis Medina. His replacement is Mario Sanchez, who played in the Taiwanese League this season 꽁머니사이트.
The Hanwha Eagles have already announced the release of a million-dollar pitcher less than a month into the season. The first foreign player to be released this year is Butch Smith. Smith started the opening game against the Kiwoom Heroes on April 1, but was pulled in the third inning due to shoulder pain. After throwing just 60 pitches, Smith was taken off the mound and never got another chance. Diagnosed with a muscle strain in his right shoulder, Smith’s absence was prolonged despite the initial description of a minor injury. On April 19, Hanwha announced Smith’s release.
Hanwha brought in Ricardo Sanchez for a $400,000 salary to replace Smith, who is currently 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in nine games.
Some players never even made it to the mound in the KBO. SSG Landers’ Ennie Romero was claimed off waivers early last month after rehabbing from a shoulder injury during spring training.
On the other hand, there are million-dollar pitchers who have done their part and become indispensable to their teams. Eric Peddy of the N.C. Dinos has been the best foreign pitcher in the KBO this season. He is 11-2 with a 1.73 ERA. He leads the league in wins, ERA, and is second in strikeouts (103).