156km fastball new ace to come to Korea on the 8th"Administrative procedures such as visa issuance"

Jul 06, 2024

조던 발라조빅. Photo courtesy = Doosan Bears

Doosan Bears' new foreign player Jordan Balazovic (26) will enter Korea.

Doosan said on the 6th that `New foreign pitcher Balazovic is scheduled to enter the country through Incheon International Airport on the 8th.'

Doosan announced on the 4th that it has signed a $250,000 contract with Balazovic after disclosing waivers called Raul Alcanta.

APYonhap News

Balazovic was a 5th round pick by the Minnesota Twins in the 2016 rookie draft, with a physical condition of 1 m96 and a weight of 97 kg. Balazovic, who made his major league debut in 2023, played 24 ⅓ innings in 18 games that year, winning one game and posting a 4.44 ERA. His overall minor league record is 29 wins, 28 losses, 7 holds, 1 save, and 4.40 ERA in 138 games (83 starts).

This season, he pitched in 24 games (first starter) for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints under Minnesota and played 35 ⅓ innings, recording 5 wins, 4 losses, 3 holds, and an ERA of 5.60.

Balazovic is considered to be 'Ace' to replace Alcantara. With Brandon Waddell out due to injury, he is agonizing over Eric Jokish and Kisho Shirakawa.

In the meantime, Alcantara was sluggish. Alcantara, who returned from his Japanese career last year, won 13-9 with a 2.67 ERA in 31 games.

Lotte-Doosan match held at Jamsil Stadium on the 3rd. Alcantara, who allowed a solo shot to Jeon Joon-woo with two outs in the top of the first inning, is coming down the mound regretfully. Jamsil = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.7.3/

Doosan re-signed for $1.5 million (about 2 billion won), but remained 2 wins and 2 losses with a 4.76 ERA in 12 games. Elbow pain occurred after the Kiwoom Heroes match on April 21, and there was a gap of about a month. He was sluggish with a 7.09 ERA in seven games, and in the last two games, he collapsed with five runs in three ⅔ innings (against Hanwha on June 26) and six runs in two innings (against Lotte on the 3rd), and eventually was notified of his release.

Balazovic is said to have an excellent ball power. A Doosan official said "Balazovic is a powerful pitcher with a high RBI fastball. Fastball speed is up to 156 kilometers and 150 kilometers on average. "In addition, he is a pitcher who can put breaking balls such as splitters, curves, and sliders in the strike zone, and has excellent strikeout ability."

Balazovic will enter the country on the 8th and adjust to the team's personnel and time difference. A Doosan official said, `The plan is to complete administrative procedures, including issuing work visas.' After that, he will make his KBO League debut.

bellstop@sportschosun.com

156km fastball new ace to come to Korea on the 8th"Administrative procedures such as visa issuance"

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