“I want to compete and win while playing real baseball.”
Expectations are high for Aaron Wilkerson (34), the new foreign pitcher of the Lotte Giants. Wilkerson is also building his motivation at Lotte based on his Asian stage experience. Each of his remarks has a ‘macho temperament’ and is building up his morale.카지노사이트
Lotte released foreign pitcher Dan Straley on the 18th and signed a new foreign pitcher, Aaron Wilkerson. Total $350,000 ($250,000 annual salary plus $100,000 incentive).
Wilkerson, a 188 cm, 104 kg right-hander, was not drafted, but signed as an amateur free agent with the Boston Red Sox in 2014 and made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017. He appeared in 14 career games and went 58-31 with a 3.42 earned run average in 158 career minor league appearances (783⅔ innings). As a member of the Hanshin Tigers last year, he recorded 5 wins and 5 losses in 14 games (70⅔ innings) with an earned run average of 4.08. At the beginning of the season, Hanshin’s Corona 19 wave took a chance as a substitute player, and he was awarded the Central League MVP in May. However, he suffered ups and downs in the second half, ended the season early due to Corona 19, and failed to renew his contract.
Wilkerson, who entered Korea on the 19th, will go through live pitching on the 22nd and will be immediately put into the first team game next week. Coach Larry Sutton said ahead of the match against Kiwoom Heroes at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 21st, “Wilkerson is a veteran pitcher and has experience in Japan. He also shows his presence as a veteran pitcher and adapts as soon as he arrives. I expect that he will make good use of various pitches,” he said. “Live pitching is scheduled for tomorrow (22nd). He threw an actual game about two weeks ago and also pitched to the bullpen before coming to Korea. He didn’t rest much. He explained that if he finishes the live pitching well, he will be on the mound next week.” The match against Doosan in Jamsil next week is highly likely to be Wilkerson’s debut match.
Wilkerson, who met with reporters at Sajik Stadium on the 21st, said, “I played in Japan, so I am not unfamiliar with the Asian stage. He had a great experience in Japan and he wanted to come to the KBO League as well. It’s so nice to be able to play ‘real baseball’ in Korea,” he said, expressing his determination, saying, “I will help the team hit and rise to a higher rank.” The following is a Q&A with Wilkerson.
- How do you feel about coming to the Korean stage?
▲ Everything is good so far. I am still adjusting to jet lag. I’m from Arizona, and in the US it’s a dry climate at 40 degrees, but it seems to be humid here. I am adjusting my body to be in the best condition for the game.
- I don’t think you’ll be unfamiliar with the Asian stage after playing in Japan?
▲ It seems similar, and I experienced similar weather in the US. I am trying my best to make my body fit for the game as much as possible.
-The KBO League, the background of accepting the offer of the Lotte Giants?
▲ I really liked the experiences in Japan and originally wanted to come to the KBO League. I wanted to stay in Japan, but I was frustrated because I couldn’t. It was easy to get close to everyone in Japan and the food was good. I knew last year that the Asian stage was good, so I think there will be no problem in Korea. Also, in Triple A, it was difficult due to new rules such as robot referees and automatic strikes. It’s nice to be able to play real baseball in Korea now, and I want to compete and win here.
- Hanshin was also a popular club. How do you feel about the Lotte club and Sajik Stadium?
▲ It’s better than I thought. I want to start playing soon. The stadium is big. Big pitches are good for pitchers. I am a fly ball pitcher, so I want to feel the enthusiasm while watching the video so that I can stay inside the fence without going over the fence.
- You also played for Alcantara and Hanshin. What advice did you get for the KBO League?
▲I heard from players who played in Korea, such as Alcantara Mel Rojas Jr., and I heard advice from Brian Corey and Andy Burns. Brian Corey was the pitching coach for the Triple-A team this year and had only heard good things about it. Alcantara said there would be no problem
-How is your current condition?
▲There are some difficulties due to jet lag, long flights, and weather, but I think there is no problem with my physical condition itself.
-What was your experience in Japan?
▲ It was so good in the beginning, but the hardest thing was to prepare for the club to come out at any time. As a competitive player, he suffered difficulties later because he took note even if he felt uncomfortable. I think the team should always go out whenever they want.
- Can you introduce your strengths?
▲ Contrary to what you say, you are a different person on the mound. His strength is that he can throw strikes with certainty, and he was able to maintain this throughout his career, so he was able to gain major league experience. He likes to compete and hates walking more than 8,000m home runs. He has come for the upswing.
-Lotte is challenging for fall baseball. What is the goal?
▲I came here to help the team rise. Right now, I am in 5th place, but I will help the team so that I can go up to the top of the leaderboard, such as 4th or 3rd place.