FA market ‘cold meal’ C-class pitcher, will the name change be successful?

Free agent pitcher Kang Yoon-gu (32) joined the ranks of name change. After changing his name, his name is Kang Ri-ho. 

On the 16th, Riho Kang announced the news of his name change through his Instagram story. He left a message, “I changed my name. Kang Ri-ho. Call me a lot with the changed name.” 

After graduating from Jangchung High School, 토토사이트 Kang started his professional career with Heroes in 2009. While playing for Nexen, NC, and Lotte, he appeared in 402 first-team games and recorded 31 wins, 29 losses, 2 saves and 48 holds. His earned run average was 5.07. 

In 2018, when he was in NC, he achieved his best performance after his professional debut with 7 wins, 5 losses, 1 save and 17 holds (average ERA of 6.09). The following year, he won 15 holds, achieving double-digit holds for the second year in a row. 

He took the mound 29 times this season, but left an earned run average of 5.48 without a win or loss. After the season, he qualified as a free agent. Although Kang Ri-ho is a C-class free agent who does not need a compensation player, news of the contract has not yet been heard. 

Lotte, Kang Ri-ho’s original club, opened his wallet for the first time in a long time this winter. First of all, he tied up local ace Park Se-woong early with a non-FA multi-year contract. He was awarded a contract worth up to 9 billion won for 5 years.

When the free agent market opened, he actively moved to strengthen the team’s weak position. They finally solved the catcher problem by recruiting catcher Yoo Gang-nam (4 years, 8 billion won). They also recruited shortstop Noh Jin-hyeok (4 years, 5 billion won). 

Lotte gave Kim Yoo-young, who was nominated in the first round, to LG as Yoo Gang-nam’s free agent compensation player. He needs reinforcement for his left arm, but the atmosphere shows little interest in Kang Ri-ho. Low-priced contracts are expected to be inevitable. 

Changing names is common in professional baseball. Borrow the power of a name to overcome injuries and sluggishness and stand up again. NC Son A-seop (before renamed Son Kwang-min) and SSG Hanyu Island (before renamed Han Dong-min) are representative success stories.

It remains to be seen whether Kang Ri-ho, who has been taken aback in the free agent market, will succeed in signing the contract thanks to the name change effect.