*This content was translated by AI.
SSG Landers' new foreign players will work with their teammates in earnest at Florida's first spring camp.
SSG announced on the 25th (Korea Standard Time) that Shota Takeda (33, Japan) and new foreign pitcher Anthony Benigniano (29, USA) joined the first spring camp in Florida.
Takeda is a pitcher that SSG recruited for $100,000 (about 145 million won) in the Asian quarter early last November. Benigniano is a new pitcher in a hurry because Drew Anderson, who originally signed, showed problems during medical tests. It signed a contract for a total of $850,000 (about 1.237 billion won).
SSG head coach Lee Sung-yong, veterans such as Kim Kwang-hyun, Kim Jae-hwan and Han Yu-sum went to the starting team on the 19th, and the main team headed to the Vero Beach camp in Florida on the 23rd. Takeda and Beniziano also joined just in time for the start of training.
They played catch on the first day of self-training and played their first schedule as a member of SSG. Beniziano, who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Rookie Draft, is evaluated for his high-performance breaking balls, sliders, changeups, and curves, with a maximum height of 155km per hour and an average weight of 95kg based on his strong physique conditions. In addition, deception, ground ball induction ability, and strikeout ability are considered strengths, raising expectations already.
According to SSG, Veniziano, who finished his first training session, said, "I couldn't wait to meet the players I'm going to play with after the contract. I had high expectations, he said. "I trained in the same clothes as Landers players today, and I felt good. Personally, I'm looking forward to the future," he said.
I'm in the best shape. "I'm in very good condition. I can't wait to get on the mound. Veniziano, who said he made his body well during the offseason, is also expected to have "powder power" as a freshman father with newborn children.
It just so happens that the campsite and the house are nearby. "My wife and four-month-old child live nearby," Beniziano said. Once the training starts, I will visit Jackie Robinson Training Center once in a while. I think the family will be a great help in adapting to the new team," he said.
To Korean fans, he said, "I'm so happy to join SSG. It is also an honor for me to be able to play in the KBO League, he said. "I heard that Landers fans are passionate. I try to do my best during the spring camp so that I can pitch great in front of my fans. Please look forward to it," he said.
Takeda is also confident about his physical condition. Takeda is a veteran who played 66-48 with an ERA of 3.33 in 14 seasons after being drafted by the Softbank Hawks in the first round of the 2011 NPB Rookie Draft.
Takeda, whose strengths include fast-tempo pitching rhythm, sophisticated control and seasoned game management, played catch and checked various pitches such as fastballs and breaking balls to announce the start of his first training in earnest.
After his first training session, Takeda said, "I was nervous. I felt like people around me were paying a lot of attention, so I also had a desire to do better. Still, I wanted to show you exactly what I've been doing. I played catch and training as usual," he said.
He also received advice on the unfamiliar KBO League. "I also talked with the coaching staff about what kind of baseball I should play when I enter Korea and how I should have a mindset. The coaches also explained how to manage the number of pitches.
Takeda said, "It's a self-discipline, but it was my first training session together, so it was really hectic. I can't wait to melt into the squad. There is a language barrier, but I try to get close to the players. I think I have to rely on the interpreter a lot," he said.
He is so active that he arrived in the U.S. before the team and improved his physical condition. Takeda said, "I came to the United States on January 5th and I have been training. I trained with a focus on making up for what I needed to improve. I'm satisfied with the results, so I want to maintain a good pace," he said.
He is such a "passionate man" that he visited the Kagoshima closing camp site in person and met director Lee Soo-yong. "I think not only baseball but also human relationships are important," he said. First of all, I wanted to meet the coach, the coaching staff, the front desk, and the players and greet them. I thought it would be helpful just to get used to the face, he said. "I also try to work out diligently to show a good appearance. I want to finish the training well without getting hurt during the spring camp."
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*This content was translated by AI.
