The 56-win left-handed pitcher who returned without finding a job, eventually goes to Taiwan
Jul 24, 2024
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Left-hander Yokishi, born in 1989, played for the Kiwoom Heroes for five seasons from the 2019 to 2023 season. Except for the 2023 season, when injuries forced him to leave the team midway through the season, he was a player who played the role of 'Ace' for the Heroes.
He recorded 13 wins and 9 losses in the 2019 season, his first year in the KBO League, 12 wins and 7 losses the following year, 16 wins and 9 losses in the 2021 season, and 10-8 losses in the 2022 season, and maintained a two-point ERA for three consecutive years in the 2020-2022 season.
Yokishi, who was loved by fans for more than just foreign players in the Heroes, was unable to complete the season last year due to an injury to his left adductor, and Kiwoom made a special event and ended it with a big period.
And after leaving Kiwoom, Yokishi did not sign with a new club. Returning to the United States and training individually, I waited for the time when the love call came from the KBO League again.
The opportunity has come. When the Doosan Bears need a temporary replacement foreign player due to Brandon Waddell's injury. Yokishi's side first made an offer to the Doosan club, and he flew directly to Korea on the condition that the club pays airfare and stay fees and went through a tryout. From Doosan's point of view, it was necessary to decide after seeing Yokishi throw the ball directly because he did not have his team.
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Yokishi, who flew all the way to Korea, eventually returned to the United States after failing to re-employment. Of course, even though there was a gap in the actual game, it was hopeful that he made a good body and showed his ball power that was not different from the past.
In this situation, it was said that Taiwanese CPBL clubs are discussing recruiting Yokishi. On the 23rd (Korea time), Taiwanese baseball commentator Wang Yi-shuan said on social media that `Yokishi, who played in the Major League and Korean professional baseball, is currently discussing contracts with mid-ranking teams that need to reinforce foreign players. After being tested by Doosan last month but failing to sign a contract, he became an interested player for Taiwanese professional teams."
If you don't retire and want to continue your career, for Yokishi, it can be very helpful to keep playing in the CPBL and maintain your sense of practice. As KBO League clubs are also watching his condition, there is a possibility that they will reunite again in the future.
youll@sportschosun.com
