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SEOUL — Shota Iimura's first numbers in South Korean baseball may not be pretty, but the new Japanese pitcher for the Lotte Giants says he is having a ton of fun. The 28-year-old right-hander, who signed as the club's Asian quota player in mid-June, allowed five runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings over his first two appearances in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Yet, as reported by Yonhap News, Iimura kept a smile on his face both on the mound and in the dugout.

"I am just having so much fun playing in the KBO and I think it showed on my face," Iimura told reporters through an interpreter before a game against the Doosan Bears. "As a baseball player, I felt really happy to be surrounded by so many fans. I was not nervous at all."

Coverage comparison

Yonhap News reported on the transaction when the Giants announced the signing on June 18, and later published a human-interest feature on Iimura's positive attitude. The wire service noted that before joining the Giants, Iimura had spent time with Japanese corporate club KMG Holdings and Taichung Taiwan Life in the semi-pro Taiwanese league. He posted a league-leading 0.93 ERA over 29 innings in the spring league with his Taiwanese club, the Giants said.

The signing was part of the Giants' efforts to address a struggling bullpen. Through Wednesday's action, the Giants ranked ninth among 10 teams with a 26-39-1 record, and their bullpen ERA was the worst in the league at 5.53.

Key claims

  • Iimura signed with the Lotte Giants as their new Asian quota player, making $70,000 for the rest of the season.
  • The Giants released their ex-Asian quota hurler Masaya Kyoyama in a corresponding move. Kyoyama had a 0-1 record with a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 innings over 10 outings for the Giants before being demoted to the minors.
  • In his KBO debut on June 27, Iimura was charged with a loss after allowing three runs in 2/3 of an inning against the LG Twins. The next day, he earned his first KBO hold after giving up two runs in two innings, striking out three batters and touching 151 kilometers per hour with his four-seam fastball.
  • Giants manager Kim Tae-hyoung gave a positive review of Iimura after his first two games, according to Yonhap News.

Perspectives

While the article focuses on Iimura's experience, the Giants' decision to sign him reflects their need for pitching depth, as highlighted by their poor bullpen ERA. The team's manager and Iimura himself both express optimism despite the initial struggles, suggesting a focus on potential rather than early results.