SSG didn't ask Shirakawa anything. Will 'Hot Potatoes' head to 日?
Jul 02, 2024
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SSG Landers officially announced on the 2nd the termination of their contract with injured substitute foreign player Keisho Shirakawa. Due to Roenis Elias' injury, he signed a six-week contract with Shirakawa, and his contract term ended. Elias, who has fully recovered, is preparing to start against the Changwon NC Dinos on the 3rd.
I thought a lot about it. According to regulations, the club can extend the contract period with Shirakawa further if it wants to. Or you can change your contract to a complete replacement, not temporary. Shirakawa's pitching content and attitude, which were more impressive than expected, were not a few within the club. When I first thought about it, I had a discussion for several days because my opinion was divided 50-50, and it was finally concluded that I was going with Elias.
Now what I'm curious about is Shirakawa's future course. The 23-year-old pitcher was playing for the Tokushima Indigo Sox in the Japanese independent league after graduating from high school because he was not nominated as a professional. Tokushima is one of the strongest teams that produces designated players every year in the NPB draft. Shirakawa has also consistently stated that his ultimate goal is to enter the Japanese professional baseball league, which he has dreamed of since childhood.
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However, the SSG club never officially asked Shirakawa 'will to extend the contract'. This is because it could lead to misunderstanding that it might mislead the player's intention. Shirakawa is a player who has received a lot of praise and favorable reviews from club officials. Despite being young in his early 20s, he is a professional who keeps his routine thoroughly from the first day of joining the team. It became a model by faithfully focusing only on exercise.
That's why I was even more cautious. Even though the SSG club was agonizing, it never asked Shirakawa first \'Do you intend to stay if you extend the contract?' Shirakawa was also cautious. First, I asked the club or waited for the decision without grasping the atmosphere. Even if there were occasional teammates asking about their future, they were quietly waiting for the club's decision, saying, `It's not my decision.'
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Tokushima, Shirakawa's original team, will play a warm-up match against the Yomiuri Giants next month. There is also talk that Shirakawa wants to play this game. This is because it may be the best showcase stage after gaining experience on the Korean professional stage with Japanese professional baseball officials and scouts watching. Considering the nomination of the NPB rookie draft to be held in October, Shirakawa may choose to return to Japan.
youll@sportschosun.com
