'196 ⅔ innings + 2nd place in WAR' is just a number → Best pitcher of the year? Will we be able to see each other next year?

Oct 03, 2024

photo courtesy of Lotte Giants

"I threw nearly 200 innings this year, and it's been a fun year."

He pitched in 32 games, lost 12-8 (wallet 1) 196 ⅔ innings, and had a 3.84 ERA.

Again this year, he failed in the fall baseball. However, it was the best year for Aaron Wilkerson of the Lotte Giants to answer the question mark against him with his skills.

WAR (5.32, Contributing to victory over substitute players, based on Sports-to-I) is in second place, lower than NC Dinos Kyle Hart (5.82). It is difficult to match Hearts in terms of overwhelming the game, but he pitched four more games and nearly 40 more innings.

With the fall baseball elimination already confirmed, he also volunteered to play in the final game of the season, Changwon NC on the 1st. And he pitched seven scoreless innings and reached the peak of his career year.

Before the season, there were a lot of question marks on Wilkerson's gaze. Although it is said that it is less influential because it is a style of playing ball control and ball combination than the considerable age and overwhelming ball power of those born in 1989, on the contrary, there are many pitchers who collapse out of control if the ball power falters.

However, he impressed Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung with his consistency that never skipped the starting rotation throughout the year. He showed off his trust by taking charge of the most games and most innings among all pitchers this year. The nickname 'Sajik Jesus' is full of trust in him.

A 3.84 ERA may feel a bit high, but this year has been a year of batting and pitching. He ranks 10th in ERA. It is lower than Ryu Hyun-jin (3.87), who is considered the best pitcher in Korea, and there are three pitchers who have higher ERA than him among foreigners who have filled the regular innings.

A game between the LG Twins and the Lotte Giants at Jamsil Stadium on the 10th. Starter Wilkerson is grateful when Lotte left fielder Jeon Joon-woo caught a hit ball with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.09.10/

Compared to the image of an octagonal style, the ball speed of a fastball with an average speed of mid-140km is also significant. Various breaking balls, such as cut fastball, change-up, curve-slider, are excellent. He also ranked fifth in the strikeout category this season after Hart-Heysus (Kium Heroes), Barnes (Lotte) and Furado (Kium) with 167.

"I'd rather hit a home run than walk a batter."A pitch that is bold and elaborate enough to say " is the prevailing one. He has 27 walks this season, the fewest among pitchers who have played the regular innings. Until the middle of the season, the number of walks was fewer than the number of homers (18th, 8th place). This is how much it has increased in the second half of the season, showing some fatigue.

However, since he is actively throwing to the zone, he ranks first in the hit (211) category. The number is overwhelmingly higher than Park Se-woong (188), who came in second, and Hurado (185), who came in third. As a result, even during the season, there were cases where it suddenly shook with consecutive hits.

This may be a fatal weakness in that there are concerns about a decrease in ball power every year as you get older. When I first came to Korea, I was excited to play baseballAnother weakness is that the pitch clock, which showed enough inflammation to say ," will be introduced to professional baseball next season. Lotte was the overwhelming No. 1 pitch clock violation team (8.69 per game) this season, and Wilkerson was at the center of it.

A game between the LG Twins and the Lotte Giants at Jamsil Stadium on the 10th. Lotte Wilkerson is catching his breath. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.09.10/

Lotte is expected to focus first on renewing contracts with Charlie Barnes, who played the ace role again this year, and Victor Reyes, who set a new record for most hits (202) in a season. Manager Kim Tae-hyung said, `I hope there is a first starter with strong ball power"It's not easy to meet foreign pitchers the size of Wilkerson-Barnes in reality," he said while expressing his intentions.

After the season, Wilkerson thanked "I threw nearly 200 innings this year, thanks to the club's constant opportunity and help to keep my body healthy."

Then "I'm happy to see Reyes' milestone the day I took the mound. Ko Seung-min's home run was crucial. While rejoicing that "Hidden MVP", "I had a great year thanks to the fans. All the team members talk about it, but fans like Lotte Giants can't be seen anywhere. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said.

lunarfly@sportschosun.com