The yokishi case was a failure 155km verified first pick, can be the best insurance policy

Dec 31, 2024

Roenis Elias. Sports Chosun DB

Eric Yokishi's case ended in failure. But going to Taiwan can be the best insurance card for each other.

Roenis Elias, who played for SSG Landers, chose to go to Taiwan. Taiwan Professional Baseball (CPBL) Fubang Titans signed Elias, a left-hander who played for the KBO League SSG, on Dec. 31," the official announcement said. Elias' annual salary is around $500,000 (about 730 million won), and he will join his team's spring camp in Taiwan in February after the break.

Elias is a pitcher who has played well in SSG over the past two seasons. It had destructive power that could be seen as a first-line issuance. After being hired as a substitute for the 2023 season, he was 8-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 22 games. In the 2024 season, he also recorded 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 22 games.

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He showed strong performance in a particularly big game that matched the expression 'Big Game Feature'. However, SSG chose to break up considering Elias' age and frequent injury history in his late 30s, and hired former big leaguer Mitch White.

Elias, whose contract with SSG was canceled, had no choice but to choose to go to Taiwan. In reality, it is difficult to try again in the Major League.

However, the Taiwan stage, which is close to Korea, is also another opportunity for foreign players. Foreign players who perform well in the CPBL will have the opportunity to come back to the KBO League as substitutes at any time. With the creation of a temporary replacement player system for injuries from the 2024 season, the scope of recruitment of foreign players from temporary replacement to temporary replacement, not complete replacement, has widened much. If you play in Taiwan, you can join directly without any major problems such as jet lag or atmosphere adjustment.

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The opposite case was Yokishi. After breaking up with the Kiwoom Heroes due to injury during the 2023 season, Yokish completed the exercise program with only rehabilitation and personal training in the U.S. This year, I was waiting for the KBO League love call while training individually without my team. He was unsuccessful after being tested for joining the Doosan Bears once, and the NC Dinos recruited him as a substitute for Daniel Castano, but he did not show good pitching in normal condition. In the end, as he failed to renew his contract, Yokishi's KBO League career virtually ended. Clubs also have no choice but to worry about their sense of practice.

Of course, CPBL clubs are also changing their contract methods and putting up safety measures as foreign players frequently leak overseas. In addition, it is only possible if Elias proves his robustness by spraying fastballs that can be taken up to 155 kilometers without injury in Taiwan. SSG can sign any team in the country as they have excluded Elias from the 2025 pending roster.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.