Kirk McCarty, who played for SSG Landers last year, is taking on a new challenge in the Taiwanese league.
On the 17th, the Chinese Taipei Professional Baseball League (CPBL) Chungshin Brothers club officially announced, "We have recruited McCarty, who played in the KBO League."
McCarty is a pitcher that SSG recruited a year ago. At that time, SSG signed Eni Romero and McCarty as new foreign pitchers. After the contract renewal with 'ace' Wilmer Font, who led the combined championship in the 2022 season, fell through, a search was made for replacement players, and among them, Romero and McCarty joined.
He is 1m73cm tall and weighs 83kg. Although he had a short stature and physique for a baseball player, McCarty played the role of first starter during SSG's most difficult time in the 2023 season. He went 9-5 with an earned run average of 3.39 in 24 games. Although his performance was not overwhelming, it was not a bad performance considering the team's situation where there were holes in the rotation one after another. Additionally, even as Romero left the team with a shoulder injury before the start of the season and went through the ups and downs of looking for a replacement, McCarty steadfastly maintained the rotation.
He also received high marks for his personality and attitude. Due to his bright personality and sincere character, and his quick adaptation to life in Korea, he was evaluated as a 'clever player' even within his team.
However, the decisive reason why the contract renewal with SSG was canceled was durability. McCarty suffered several major and minor injuries in the second half of the season and was unable to pitch normally. He almost failed to register as an entry in the semi-playoff series, but he joined, but had to appear in the bullpen. After careful consideration after the end of the season, SSG removed McCarty from the pending player list.
McCarty, who was satisfied with life in the KBO league but failed to renew his contract, appears to have finally decided to challenge the Taiwanese league. Depending on the situation, there is a possibility that he may re-enter Korea. Recently, when recruiting mid-season replacement players in the KBO League, players playing in Taiwan are also excellent alternatives. Last year, KIA Tigers also brought in Mario Sanchez, who was playing in the Taiwanese league.
Also, starting this season, the league regulations have changed, allowing temporary replacement foreign players to be brought in, so there is ample value in utilizing it. In particular, players who have already experienced the KBO league like McCarty are given a 'plus' score.
In addition to McCarty, Daniel Mengden, a pitcher with a strong mustache who played for KIA in the 2021 season, also joined Jungshin Brothers along with McCarty. In addition to McCarty and Mengden, Sean Morimando, who helped SSG win the 2022 season, is already playing in the midfield.
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