New Kia Tigers pitcher Keisho Shirakawa poses in the Korea Baseball Organization club's uniform after signing on as their Asian quota player, Thursday. Courtesy of Kia Tigers
The Kia Tigers filled their Asian quota with Japanese pitcher Keisho Shirakawa on Thursday, while the Kiwoom Heroes extended their contract with injury replacement pitcher Kenny Rosenberg.
The Tigers said Shirakwa agreed to a $100,000 contract for the rest of the season as their Asian quota player. The team had cut Australian shortstop Jarryd Dale on Tuesday.
The Tigers will be Shirakawa's third team in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The 24-year-old pitched for the SSG Landers and the Doosan Bears in 2024, the first season in which the KBO began allowing clubs to sign temporary replacements for injured foreign players.
In 12 starts that year, Shirakawa went 4-5 with a 5.65 ERA in 57 1/3 innings, along with 46 strikeouts and 33 walks.
After his KBO stint, Shirakawa rejoined his Japanese independent club, the Tokushima Indigo Sox. The right-hander pitched to a 1.08 ERA over 25 innings in five starts this year prior to his KBO return.
"He has a great fastball from a high release point, and he mixes in the curveball, slider and forkball effectively," the Tigers said in a release. "Since he has already pitched in the KBO in the past, he should be able to make his adjustments quickly even as he joins us in the middle of the season. He can start or pitch in relief for us."
The Tigers said Shirakawa will first join their minor league team Friday and work his way up to the KBO team.
Kiwoom Heroes starter Kenny Rosenberg pitches against the LG Twins during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Kiwoom Heroes
In another KBO transaction Thursday, the Heroes signed Rosenberg to a new six-week contract worth $50,000 as a replacement player for Nathan Wiles.
Source: Korea Times News
