"Because I get hit even if I throw 154km" The poor performance of six runs the previous day is not a decisive hit "Exit". The 20th-win ace's third season with only disappointment
Jul 04, 2024
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It is Raul Alcantara (32)'s farewell when he left for the Hanshin Tigers in the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) after 20 wins, 2 losses, 198 ⅔ innings and a 2.54 ERA in the 2020 season.
This time, Doosan Bears said hello first. Doosan announced on the 4th that it will recruit new foreign pitcher Jordan Balazovic (26) instead of Alcantara.
Balazovic had one win and a 4.44 ERA in 24 ⅓ innings last year for the Minnesota Twins in the Major League Baseball. This year, he played as a bullpen (24 games, 1 starter) for Triple-A team under Minnesota. A 1-meter-96-tall foreign pitcher. Doosan introduced the pitcher with excellent strikeouts based on a fastball up to 156 kilometers from a high RBI.
Alcantara returned to Doosan and left Korea a year and a half after meeting with manager Lee Seung-yeop. Alcantara visited Jamsil Stadium at around 2 p.m. on the same day and said goodbye to coach Lee Seung-yeop, coaches and the team.
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However, the previous day, when the game against Lotte collapsed with six runs in two innings, he drew a line that it was not a decisive opportunity to be kicked out. Manager Lee Seung-yeop said, `It was a very difficult decision. I've won 20 games, and it wasn't a matter of a day or two before I decided to send a pitcher with 13 wins last year."
"We have already started to prepare (replacement) for a long time since Alcantara's injury, as the time (required to return) has increased. The opponent did not have difficulty with Alcantara's ball as before. Seven games showed no signs of recovery. If you have a problem with your speed, you'll get better as you come up, but don't you get hit even if your fastball comes out to 154km. I thought it would be hard because even if the normal restraint came out, it would be right."
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Alcantara's strong pitching remained last year after returning from the Hanshin Tigers. He played 192 innings in 31 games with a 2.67 ERA. Along with Eric Peddy (former NC Dinos), he was one of the pitchers who dominated last year.
But this year, his third season with Doosan, was different. He will leave with only 2 wins, 2 losses and a 4.76 ERA in 12 ⅓ and 64 starts. In particular, he extended his departure period by looking for a U.S. doctor instead of Doosan's team doctor after the injury, and nevertheless, he was sluggish with a 7.09 ERA while throwing seven games after returning, eventually becoming a target of expulsion.
Brandon Waddell is in a position to replace the first starter with an injury. Coach Lee Seung-yeop said of Balazovic, `There are players who will come because the timing is right, and they have a few days to spare for the All-Star break. As far as I know, he didn't play long innings this year, but he has experience as a starter before that, and above all, he is a young and fast-paced player. The breaking ball (viewed on video) has a very good curve. With one will to play as a starter, it comes even though it's not a very good treatment. It will be a great help to us."
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"Between restraint and ball control is certainly good. The walking ratio is not bad, but it is not a pitcher whose pitching is monotonous. I think it is competitive enough in professional baseball. Currently, he is said to have thrown up to 80 bullpen pitching and daggers to set the date of entry during personal training. I'm going to ask you to build a body that can play as a starter."
lunarfly@sportschosun.com
