[Official] Ulsan Wales even recruited 'the king of the most wins in the Japanese independent league' to throw 152km → All four foreigners have been confirmed

*This content was translated by AI.

Ulsan Wales, the "first civic club" to start the KBO Futures League from the 2026 season, has completed all the composition of foreign players to lead the mound and batting lineups in the 2026 season, setting an anchor for its first voyage.

Ulsan Wales said on the 11th, "We have filled all four foreign quotas by recruiting pitcher Naaga Taisei (27) from the Japanese independent league." As a result, Ulsan Wales will build a solid power by matching the final puzzle following the existing Okada Akitake, Kobayashi Jooi (Japan), and Alex Hall (Australia).

Three pitchers from Japan are responsible for the core of the Ulsan mound. The most prominent name is Akita Okada (32), who has played for the Japanese national team, as previously known. Okada, who was the first designated member of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Hiroshima Toyokaf in 2015, is expected to take the center stage of the starting lineup by signing a contract of $80,000.

Joo E Kobayashi (24), who joined together, is also from Softbank Hawks and is versatile enough to have experience in pitching and working together. Based on his stable control, he is expected to form a one-two punch with Okada.

The last Naga Taisei to join is a "jewel" that manager Jang Won-jin and pitching coach Park Myung-hwan directly checked their skills in Japan and selected. The speed ball of up to 152 km/h from the 188cm high physique is the main weapon, and as a former Japanese independent league champion, he has a good sense of action.

Australian national catcher Alex Hall (26) will join the fielders. Hall, who signed a $90,000 contract, the highest among foreign players in the team, has excellent long-range power proven at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). In particular, it is considered a key resource that will add tactical flexibility to new teams with thin players, with "utility capabilities" that can handle not only catchers but also first basemen and outfielders.

After completing the formation of the players, manager Jang Won-jin expressed satisfaction. Manager Jang said, "The foreign pitchers' ability to play innings and their rich experience will be a great help to the mound management," and added, "Alex Hall is also a necessary player for the team with both long-range power and multi-position ability."

Foreign players in Ulsan Wales will start preparing for the season in earnest. Except for Alex Hall, who is scheduled to be assigned to the 2026 WBC Australian national team, three Japanese players will join Jeju Island's off-season training starting on the 12th and work with domestic players for the first time.

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*This content was translated by AI.