“I came here to prove it.”
KIA Tigers officially announced on the 6th that they signed a contract with new foreign pitcher Eric Lauer for a total of $350,000 including a down payment of $50,000 and an annual salary of $300,000.
Lauer arrived in Korea on Friday afternoon and underwent a medical examination on Wednesday. Having no major problems after the examination, Lauer joined the team on Wednesday and exchanged greetings for the first time. Afterwards, he checked his physical condition by playing catch during the training session. He will pitch in the bullpen on Tuesday.
Lee Bum-ho, Kia’s manager who met Lauer for the first time, said, “I think I am quite gentle. Maybe because I have lived in a major league for a long time, I felt good when I greeted players. My first impression was quite good,” adding, “I think I am relaxed and calm because I played in a lot of good leagues. I came in watching him play catch, and I saw him as a very good pitcher.”
The pitching schedule has not been decided yet. The team will decide the date of its debut game after checking its physical condition. “I will talk to Louder about the date and let him take the mound after seeing when I can get better condition since I am not fully jetlagged,” Lee said. “I will decide whether I will pitch today or tomorrow after playing catch ball. I will pitch tomorrow. Since my physical condition is the most important thing, I will set the bullpen pitching date tomorrow. I will discuss with him after pitching tomorrow and decide the date of my debut game.”
Speaking to reporters after the training, Lauer said, “I’m very happy to come to Korea and I’m very excited to be active in a country with a different culture. I’ve heard about the atmosphere of the fans even before I came here. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll try my best to have smooth and many interactions with the fans.”
Lauer is a pitcher with a 4.30 WHIP 1.37 ERA with 247 strikeouts and 567 strikeouts in 36 wins, 37 losses and 596 ⅔ innings in the Major League Baseball stage (112 starts).
When he played for the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2022 season, he had the best year of his career with an ERA of 3.59 WHIP 1.22 with 157 strikeouts and 158 ⅔ innings in 29 games. However, he had 24 walks and 43 strikeouts with an ERA of 6.56 WHIP 1.67 in 46 ⅔ innings in 10 games (nine starts) last season. He has not taken the mound in the big league since May. It was due to a shoulder injury. Fortunately, he had a right shoulder injury rather than a left shoulder throwing the ball. He took the mound in the last game in late September and left Milwaukee after the season ended.
This season, Lauer came to the KBO League stage after throwing the ball at Triple-A Indianapolis Indians under the Pittsburgh Pirates and Triple-A Sugarland Space Cowboys under the Houston Astros.
Lauer said, “My physical condition is fine this year. Of course, I had a hard time last year due to injuries, but I’m very fine this year alone, and I try to continue that condition,” adding, “I came to KIA to prove that I was anxious because of my injury and I had a lot of questions. I thought it was better to prove in the KBO than to continue playing in the minor leagues.” 안전놀이터
Lauer was associated with two pitchers who played in the KBO. They were Ryan Pierband and Josh Lindblom. Pierband played for the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom) and the KT Wiz. He played in the KBO League for a total of four seasons. Lindblom played for the Lotte Giants and the Doosan Bears for five seasons. Later, he shared a team with Lauer in Milwaukee.
Lauer said, “I’ve heard of KBO before. The first thing I heard was in high school. At that time, the mentor who taught me was the peer band. I could hear news or information about KBO,” and added, “I also heard from Lindblom. I think that part will make it easier to settle and adapt to the KBO league.”
There are also cases of “reverse export” in which a foreign player who played in the KBO League returns to the Major League and shows good performance. A case in point is Merrill Kelly (Arizona Diamondbacks), who pitched for the SK Wyverns (current SSG Landers). Also, Eric Peddy (St. Louis Cardinals), who dominated the KBO League last season, is the latest example.
Lauer said, “I already know that Pedi threw well last year and went back to the U.S. I understand that other players also pitched well in Korea or Japan and then went back,” but added, “If I win the KIA this year, I will think about whether I will go back to the U.S. or stay in Korea. Throwing in the U.S. is a very good experience, but throwing in Korea can be a good experience.”
Lauer came to the stadium to watch the KT Wiz match after completing a medical test the previous day. “I watched the game yesterday, and I wanted to play faster,” he said. “There is a different cheering culture from the U.S. I think they are more passionate. I like the atmosphere of welcoming new players,” he said. “I can’t go out just because I want to, but I won’t let you wait too long.”
