Merrill Kelly, who leads the Arizona Diamondbacks, is the poster child for the KBO’s reverse export phenomenon. However, Drew Ruchinski (Oakland) hasn’t lived up to expectations, landing on the disabled list after struggling.
Kelly is 5-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 10 starts this season. He and Zach Galen have been solid on the mound for Arizona. Kelly is holding opponents to just a .194 batting average, and he’s been especially strong in May, going 3-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four starts.
In his four years with SK, Kelly compiled a 48-32 record with a 3.86 ERA over four seasons. He had no major league experience, but his steady and reliable performance in the KBO earned him a spot in the majors. In 2019, he went 13-14 with a 4.42 ERA in Arizona, and last year, he went 13-8 with a 3.37 ERA and established himself as a league-caliber starter.
Former Lotte player Brooks Railey is now a reliable member of the New York Mets bullpen. After compiling a 48-53 record and a 4.13 ERA in five seasons with Lotte from 2015 to 2019, he has been working out of the bullpen since returning to the majors. He has also spent time in Houston, Tampa Bay, and now the Mets, where he has established himself as a left-handed specialist.
Unlike Kelly and Reilly, some pitchers have fallen short of expectations. Chris Flexen, who played for the New York Mets and traveled to Korea wearing a Doosan jersey, later signed with Seattle and returned to the major leagues. However, he has struggled with four losses and a 6.44 ERA. He’s picked up his velocity this month, but he’s still in the bullpen, not the starting rotation.토토사이트
After proving his worth as a full-time starter for four years in NC, Luchinski recently landed on the disabled list with gastritis and other health issues. He was sidelined with a hamstring injury during an exhibition game and struggled in his return to the big leagues, going 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA in four starts.
Pitchers who made the jump to the big leagues after playing in the KBO have had mixed results this season as they continue to battle for survival.