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[스포츠서울 | 대전=윤세호기자] “Look at the foreign hitters who played in Korea this year. All of them came to Korea at their best age and played in the big leagues or Triple-A.”
As Hanwha coach Carlos Subero looked back on his first year in Korea, he strongly denied prejudices about the level of the KBO league. Many people, including myself, said that the level of the KBO league is similar to that of the minor league Double-A, and there are many people who say that, but it is absolutely not.
Coach Subero looked back on the year he spent a long time in the East for the first time at the end of the regular season ahead of the Daejeon LG match on the 27th. “The weather and climate change were not as difficult as I thought,” he said. Before I came to Korea, I was given enough information about it, and as expected, I am enjoying the four seasons. During that time, I played baseball or coached players in the United States, Mexico, Doni Mica, and Venezuela, but the climate difference was not that difficult.”
He continued, “What surprised me the most was the level of the KBO league. Before coming to Korea, a lot of people told me that the KBO League is on a similar level to Double A. I think this preconceived notion is wrong. I want to get rid of the tag of ‘KBO League = Double A'” and “Look at the foreign hitters who played in Korea this year. All of them came to Korea at the age of their heyday. Most of them were between the ages of 25 and 32, at their peak as baseball players. And they played in the big leagues or triple-A. However, there have been steady reports of them being released or failing. So, it seems difficult to see the KBO League as a Double-A.”
As coach Suarez said, this season, many foreign hitters struggled and were notified of release. David Freitas (32), Joilo Almonte (32), Roberto Ramos (27) and Ryan Healy (29) all left with sluggishness and injuries. The hitters who are playing in the KBO League as their replacements are also not very good. Samsung’s Jose Pirella, NC’s Aaron Altair, and Doosan’s Jose Fernandes are the only examples of successful foreign hitters this year. Even considering the karate, only four of them, including Lotte shortstop Dickson Machado, are playing their part in their team.
Coach Subero previously said about the characteristics of the KBO league, “He has excellent ability to quickly analyze and respond to opponents. I got the impression that he was able to understand the habits and weaknesses of batters well by watching only two or three games,” he said. He continued, “In the end, in order to play in the KBO League, you have to be able to counterattack the opponent’s strategy. In the case of our team, we are having a rebuilding season, and we have repeatedly fallen into a slump even when we see young players performing. “I think it’s a league that is difficult for young players to overcome in many ways, but it’s an easier league for veterans with more experience.”
I can’t be sure that Subero’s words are correct. Views on the league level can be different. However, it is clear that successful foreign players do not view the KBO league level negatively. Kelly, who has been wearing the LG uniform for three years, said, “It’s definitely not a good league. If you are careless, you will get hit.” “The ability of other players to respond is excellent. So I also have to constantly change. I am proud of myself playing in the KBO league.”
bng7@sportsseoul.com
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