"I'm here to win." Put it in right now. Okay!" Doosan's new foreign pitcher Jordan Balazovic's bold entry into the country
Jul 08, 2024
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New foreign player Jordan Balazovic (26) of the Doosan Bears has arrived in Korea.
Balazovic arrived at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the afternoon of the 8th and expressed his impressions.
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▶How do you feel about coming to Korea?
Thanks to the club's care, I flew comfortably. I'm happy and excited to have a new experience in the KBO League.
▶Please introduce yourself.
As a pitcher from Toronto, I came to Korea with an opportunity. I have a new challenge in a new country. I'm going to play hard for the championship.
▶ If you introduce yourself to pitcher Balazovic?
Except last year, he prepared as a starting pitcher throughout his career. I'd like to introduce you as a power feature type starter who throws fastballs in the mid-90s and also plays decent breaking balls.
▶Have you heard anything about the KBO League from a former foreign pitcher?
He played with Brandon Waddell (Doosan Bears) and Charlie Barnes (Lotte Giants) for a short time. He also heard about the KBO League from Adam Plutko (former LG Twins). Everyone told me only good things about Korea.
▶ Where are you?
I'm here to win. I just want to do my best to help the team win every game without thinking about anything else.
▶How are you feeling?
If the team sets a date, he can take the mound right away. I threw it as a relief this season, but I prepared well and I was getting better. If you only throw a bullpen session before taking the mound, you can play right away.
▶ Say something to your fans
We will do our best to help Doosan Bears regain the championship trophy. Please give us a lot of support.
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Balazovic, who has a robust physique of 1 m96 and a weight of 97 kg, was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round of the 2016 rookie draft. His overall minor league record is 29 wins, 28 losses, 7 holds, 1 save, and 4.40 ERA in 138 games (83 starts).
Balazovic made his major league debut last year and played in 18 games and 24 ⅓ innings, winning one game and posting a 4.44 ERA. Balazovic, who went down to the minor leagues again this season, pitched in 24 games (first starter) and played 35 ⅓ innings, recording 5 wins, 4 losses, 3 holds, and an ERA of 5.60.
Doosan expects Balazovic to play the ace role. Balazovic is considered a powerful player with a high RBI fastball. The maximum speed of a fastball is 156 kilometers, and the average speed is 150 kilometers. The breaking ball uses splitters, curves, and sliders, and is known to have excellent control and strikeout ability.
Shirakawa and Kisho are likely to fill the vacancy of Brandon Waddell, who is out injured with the addition of Balazovic. Sarakawa, whose contract with SSG is over, has already received a work visa and has adapted to the KBO league for six weeks, so Doosan can immediately put it into practice as soon as it is recruited.
Sarakawa, which was announced on waivers on the 3rd, can be nominated by KBO clubs except SSG in the reverse order of the 3rd. Doosan was fourth at the time, but the top teams did not need alternative foreign pitchers. If Doosan's nomination goes smoothly, it will announce its official recruitment on the 10th.
cjg@sportschosun.com
