The Korean Baseball Organization Kiwoom Heroes is accelerating its efforts to finalize its foreign player roster. With two foreign players signed, the organization is looking to re-sign Ariel Furado as the final piece of the puzzle.
On July 17, Kiwoom signed a new foreign pitcher, Enmanuel de Jesus, for a total of $800,000.
The Venezuelan native is a left-handed pitcher with a sturdy build of 190 centimeters. He will be tasked with being an integral part of the Kiwoom starting rotation next season.
He has a fastball that reaches up to 150 kilometers per hour and a slider, curveball, and changeup. He has excellent command of his fastball and has good command of his off-speed pitches.
He made his major league debut this year with the Miami Marlins, and while he only has two big league games under his belt, he has plenty of minor league experience. After joining the Boston Red Sox as an international amateur free agent in 2014, Heisus spent nine seasons in the minors, compiling a 49-45 record with a 4.01 ERA in 178 games.
Keum will be accompanied next season by foreign-born outfielder Ronnie Dawson, 28, who joined the team in July as a replacement for Edison Russell, 29. 안전놀이터 The team re-signed Dawson on Nov. 11 for a total of $600,000.
Dawson’s upbeat and positive personality quickly integrated into the team and provided a spark to the offense
In 57 games, he batted .336 with 77 hits, three home runs, 29 RBIs, nine doubles, and an OPS of .852.
Kiwoom’s eyes now turn to the final piece of the foreign player puzzle. Kiwoom is keen on re-signing ace Furado.
Furado, who started the 2023 season as the team’s third starter, took over de facto ace duties in September after first choice Ahn Woo-jin and second choice Eric Yokishi were lost for the season due to injury. In 30 games this year, he pitched 183⅔ innings with an 11-8 record, 147 strikeouts, and a 2.65 ERA. He ranked third in innings pitched and fourth in ERA.
He also recorded 20 quality starts six or more innings and three or fewer earned runs a sign of a starting pitcher’s consistency, ranking fifth in that category.
After proving his competitiveness, Furado is expected to take over as Kiwoom’s No. 1 starter next season and lead the starting staff. Ahn Woo-jin will not be on the mound for Kiwoom next year as he will begin his military service as a social service worker on March 18 after undergoing elbow surgery. Heisus is more of a second starter behind the ace.