Kia Tigers coach Lee Bum-ho expressed high expectations on new foreign pitcher Eric Stoute (31). He has been an interested pitcher and has been evaluated as a type similar to Kiwoom Heroes’ left-hander ace Enmanuel Heyesus. He was full of confidence that he would contribute to the process of winning the regular season league.
Kia officially announced on Wednesday that it signed a 45,000-dollar contract with Stoute. As a substitute for 12-win ace James Nail, who ended the season due to injury, he will join the Kia Tigers for about a month until the end of the regular season. He will pitch in up to five games at maximum. If Stoute shows competitive edge, he can stay in the KBO league.
Stout signed a contract with Kia on Wednesday and immediately arrived in Korea through Incheon International Airport. On the day, he moved to Gwangju, visited Champions Field, and met with Lee Bum-ho and other players. He underwent medical check and will officially join the team from Wednesday. As soon as his work visa is issued, he will start living a month with player registration (stout).
Lee gave high marks to the stout’s posture. “I greeted him today and he was very personable and active. I said, ‘Thank you for allowing me to throw the ball even though it was a short period of time. I will do my best to throw the ball in the KBO league.’ I am well aware of the important situation in our team. I think he brought great will. I was touched by his concern for James first. I felt he was such a warm personality.”
Lee said he knew Stout well. He said he watched Stoute consistently as a foreign candidate this year. “I watched a lot of videos because I was interested in him before that. (Kium) It’s like Heissus throwing. He has similar speed and cross throwing. I kept watching him thinking he would throw well if he came to the league. His pitching form was neat and there was no problem with check movements.”
Stout’s pitching will be decided as soon as he gets a work visa. He started the game with the Jungshin Brothers on Sunday and threw more than 100 pitches. If he gets a work visa, he could also play against the Samsung Lions on Sunday. “Even in Jungshin, today or tomorrow is the day when he takes the mound. If you throw a bullpen session, you can take the mound right away. You have to get a visa by Friday,” Lee said.
BY: 메이저사이트