KIA is the only 'exclusive' winner in the end → But why is 'noisy 0.115' already? The head coach said it himself

*This content was translated by AI.

Already, voices of concern and criticism are being replaced among passionate KIA fans. Still, the head coach of the 'winning master' expressed his intention to wait without giving up his faith. This is the story of Jarryd Dale (26), the KIA Tigers' unconventional winning pitcher and the only Asian quarter fielder.

Dale has played in nine exhibition games this year and has a batting average of 0.115 (3 hits in 26 at-bats), two runs, one walk, four strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.115, an on-base percentage of 0.148, and an on-base percentage of 0.263 (on-base percentage + slugging percentage).

After hitting one hit each against KT Wiz on the 14th and 15th, there are no more hits after one hit against the NC Dinos on the 17th. On the 21st, he played without a replacement against Doosan Bears in Jamsil, but remained silent with no hits in five at-bats. On the 22nd, the batting order was lowered to No. 9 to ease the burden, but he also had no hit in three at-bats.

The Asian quarter system, which will be introduced in the KBO league for the first time this year. With the exception of KIA, all nine clubs have completed recruiting pitchers in the Asian quarter, only KIA has moved. It has launched an unconventional game to select an infielder alone. It invested a total of 150,000 dollars (about 226 million won).

There is a reason. This is because Park Chan-ho, who has played as a key shortstop, became a free agent (FA) and moved to the Doosan Bears, creating a gap. After careful consideration, KIA finally made the final decision to spend the Asian quarter on an infielder who is capable of defending all positions in the infield and has extensive experience and, above all, stable defense capabilities.

Dale is from Melbourne, Australia. In 2016, he made his professional debut at the Melbourne Aces of ABL in Australia. I also experienced the U.S. stage. After signing a minor contract with the San Diego Padres in 2019, he played a total of six seasons, including two Triple-A seasons. Last season, he joined the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Orix Buffaloes as a nurturing foreign player and played in 41 games in the second division alone, posting a batting average of 0.297, 35 hits, two home runs, and 14 RBIs and 12 runs. He is a fielder who has been recognized for his ability to play for the Australian national team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), which recently ended.

However, Dale is still struggling in the exhibition game. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said of Dale ahead of the match against Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 22nd, "It was okay when I saw him playing in the spring camp. But I think I'm nervous because I'm playing (in Korea). In the beginning, I think I might get lost," he said.

"In the meantime, the continued use of No. 1 batting order in the exhibition game meant more at-bats," he said. "My colleagues are cheering me on, saying, 'Don't worry that I can't hit well and it's okay.' There are some areas where foreign players have to adapt to some early stage. But he doesn't seem to think he's a foreign player.(laughs) We're becoming more and more our players. That's how desperate I am. You'll do well. You have to do well again. It's okay to hit about 260 to 7 percent. "If you look at about 100 at-bats, you'll get an answer," he said, expressing expectations.

Foreign hitters who have played in the KBO league have often needed time to adapt, unlike pitchers. Manager Lee, a former KBO League legend hitter, gave trust, saying he would definitely do well. After all, the regular season is real. Will Dale be able to show his true value in the regular season, leaving behind the sluggish exhibition games.

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*This content was translated by AI.