Right-hander Will Crow (29, USA), who will play a key role in the starting pitching staff of the KIA Tigers in professional baseball this year, has many players who went through the KBO league as friends.
Although he arrived in Korea later than them, he has definitely accumulated information and is preparing for his KBO league debut.
Crow, who signed a contract with KIA for a total of $1 million, including an annual salary of $600,000 and a down payment and option of $200,000 each
said in an interview with Yonhap News on the 10th, “I chose to go to KIA because I wanted to play as a starting pitcher.” 토토사이트
Crow, who debuted in the Major League Baseball (MLB) wearing the uniform of the Washington Nationals in 2020
appeared in 94 games in the big league until last year and had 10 wins, 21 losses, and an ERA of 5.30.
Crow, who played in Washington in 2020 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021-2023, appeared in 28 games as a starter in 2020-2021, and appeared in 64 games as a starter and relief in 2022-2023.
Crowe said, “I hesitated for a while last year due to a problem with my right shoulder, but I can demonstrate my ability as a starting pitcher and be a help to the team
but just when the big league club was asking me for medical records that I had never received, I received a recruitment offer from KIA.” and introduced.
He then emphasized, “I am very excited to be able to pitch as a starting pitcher again, and the KBO League is a great opportunity to prove my abilities.”
Crow said, “I can’t say I know the KBO league very well, but I have friends with my teammate and friend Eric Peddie from my time in Washington (who played for the NC Dinos last year and moved to MLB’s Chicago White Sox this year), and my close friend Taylor Widener (formerly my college roommate, even attending each other’s weddings).” He answered, “I know to some extent because I heard about it from NC and Samsung Lions.”
He also said that he is learning little by little by reading the KBO League introduction material provided by the KIA club.
Crow explained that he has been acquainted with Peddie since 2015, when he was a minor league Double-A player.
He and Eric Thames, a hitter exported from the KBO League, met together in Washington in 2020 and follow each other on social networking services (SNS).
In addition, he heard about how to live with his family in Korea through his Pittsburgh teammate Anthony Alford
who played for KT Wiz until last year, and added that he is close with Will Craig, who briefly played for Kiwoom Heroes in 2021, as they played baseball together since childhood.
Crow visits Gwangju with his wife and two children.
Like Peddy, who dominated the KBO League last year, Crow throws a sweeper, a variation of the slider.
He explained, “Knowing that Peddie threw a sweeper in the KBO League, I also use the sweeper with confidence.
My main weapon is a changeup, and I know how to throw a sweeper at the right time.”
Crow, who said that shoulder inflammation is not a big problem, said, “I want to become a player who can help the team win by throwing at least 6 to 7 innings every five days.
I will install a new sinker two-seam fastball and use the existing fastball, slider, sweeper, changeup, and curveball.
He expressed confidence, saying, “We have reached the stage where we can throw 6 pitches together in 100% condition for the first time in 2 years.”
Crow, who said he often woke up early in the morning to watch Korean professional baseball postseason games on his cell phone while raising his two-month-old daughter and was exposed to a cheering culture that was completely different from MLB, said,
The skill of KBO league hitters in putting the bat to the ball is at a high level. He revealed his adaptation strategy by saying
I will throw the pitches I am confident in into the strike zone and make aggressive pitches to reduce the number of pitches.”
Crow, who said he often drove cars made by KIA, the automaker that is the parent company of the Tigers
said he would try driving a KIA car soon and confidently announced that he was ready to become a member of the new team even off the field.