Strayley Barnes, the fate of the team is on our shoulders
– Stray Lee “Yoo Kang-nam framing good”
– Barnes excellent slider against left-handed hitter
– “I will have a great match with Lee Jeong-hoo this year” – Rex “ I will live up to expectations for
long hitting and defense”
no. Even if only two of the three mercenaries succeed, you can experience at least ‘fall baseball’, and if all three perform well, you can even challenge for the championship. It is safe to say that there is not a single team that has not benefited from a foreign player among the previous Korean Series champions. For this reason, each club pays great attention to the selection of foreign players. Lotte Giants renewed contracts with all three foreign players who played last year ahead of this season. In terms of recruiting a player who has been proven to some extent in the foreign player market, where uncertainty is strong, it is evaluated that Lotte has completed foreign farming well.
▮Dan Strayley, the ‘first starter’ this year,
Dan Strayley joined the team in August of last year by signing a contract with Lotte for $400,000 during the season. He decided to keep the Lotte mound for an annual salary of 1 million dollars this season as well. “I’m always trying to pitch perfect,” Strayley said. He feels that even in Korea he is growing as he plays one game every year,” he said.
Strayley had an average ERA of 2.31 with 4 wins and 2 losses in 11 games last season. Previously, he was recruited by Lotte in the 2020 season, played two seasons, and went to the United States to return to the major leagues. Strayley played an active role as an ace with a career record of 25 wins and 16 losses with a 3.22 ERA for two years at Lotte. Strayley’s ‘special move’ is a three-quarter style fastball and slider. He is expected to boast a sharper control by forming a battery with the master of the homeroom, Kang-Nam Yoo, this season.
Strayley said, “I worked with Yoo Kang-nam through pitching in the spring camp bullpen, practice games, and demonstration games. I think Yoo Kang-nam’s excellent framing ability will definitely be of great help to pitchers.”
Strayley, who is likely to be the starter for the opening game, is adjusting all conditions and pace to the opening game, such as taking the mound late in the exhibition game according to the season schedule.
▮’The Left Seated Lion’ Charlie Barnes
Lefty ace Charlie Barnes signed a total of $1.25 million this season ($350,000 down payment, $850,000 annual salary, $50,000 in options). Last year, Barnes took the mound in 31 games, going 12-12 with a 3.62 ERA and 160 strikeouts. In the practice game against Hanwha held at the spring camp, he gave up only one hit in two innings and blocked it cleanly with no runs. Barnes said, “I am happy to continue playing for Lotte. I want to meet the fans at Sajik Stadium as soon as possible,” expressing anticipation.
Barnes’ biggest weapon is the slider he throws against left-handed batters. He was particularly strong against left-handed hitters, earning him the nickname ‘Left-Leader’. In fact, against Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom), the best hitter in the KBO last season, he showed an extreme performance with 1 hit in 12 at-bats. In other words, Barnes was the only pitcher Lee Jung-hoo failed to target in the KBO League. Barnes said, “Lee Jung-hoo is definitely a great hitter. Since he has only faced one season, it is too early to argue who is better or worse. He said, “I want to try to win again this season.”
The fact that Barnes is strong against left-handers also acts as a ‘double-edged sword’. There is also a disadvantage that his control rapidly collapses when he is attacked by a certain left-handed hitter.
“I don’t set numbers and goals because I have high expectations of myself,” says Barnes. Every time he gets on the mound, he just does his best to help the team win,” he said.
▮ ‘Good Luck’ Jack Rex
Outfielder Jack Rex re-signed with Lotte for a total of $1.3 million ($200,000 down payment, $1 million annual salary, $100,000 in options). Rex, who joined Lotte midway through the season last July, played only 56 games, but left behind excellent results (0.330 batting average, 8 home runs, 34 RBIs, 0.905 OPS). In the second half of the season, the Lotte outfield that Rex guarded was at the top of the KBO League. Thanks to him, he succeeded in renewing his contract. Rex said, “I am happy to be with Lotte again this year. I am looking forward to the season because I think I will be able to create good synergy with the new players.”
Rex is a hitter with many strengths. He has a good starting line, he has good contact, and he has good RBIs and extra-base hits to create runs. Rex gets more of his role this season. This is because he has to make up for the absence of a large gun created by Lee Dae-ho’s retirement last year. Rex said, “I don’t have the burden of hitting a lot of long hits.”
There are also regrets.토토사이트 Unlike his skill with a high-level bat, the defensive range is narrow and it is difficult to use it in various positions. He’s not on the fast side, so he’s not suited to ‘running baseball’ either. Rex played mainly as a ‘corner outfielder’ with Jeon Jun-woo last season, but it seems that Jeon Jun-woo will be the designated hitter this season, further increasing the defensive burden.
Regarding this, Rex said, “I don’t worry too much about the defense. “The team atmosphere is really good. Fans may want to prepare for the postseason at Sajik Stadium this year,” he expressed his determination.