'SSG deal canceled → NC emergency signing → consecutive strong outings': Buhagen's 2.89 ERA a huge hit! Lee Ho-jun also highly satisfied, calling it a "happy dilemma"

*This content was translated by AI.

NC Dinos foreign pitcher Drew Buhagen (36) is turning a last-chance ticket to Korea into a "miracle drama." After suffering the pain of failing a medical test conducted by SSG Landers ahead of this season, he has risen as a savior for NC Dinos.

On the 21st, Buhagen made a start in an away game against Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the "2026 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League." He pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing 7 hits, striking out 6 batters, and giving up just 1 run. Although he did not earn a win or loss due to the offense's silence, his performance was more than enough to prove he is a new hope for NC's starting rotation.

Buhagen's start this season was indeed a rocky road. He reached an agreement to sign with SSG Landers in December last year, but the deal was canceled after an abnormality was found during the medical test. However, through twists and turns, his move to Korea was realized. When NC foreign pitcher Riley Thompson (30) withdrew due to an injury just before the season opener, NC made the sudden decision to sign Buhagen as a "replacement foreign pitcher."

Despite a short preparation period, Buhagen quickly made a smooth landing. Ahead of the game, NC manager Lee Ho-jun (50) told reporters, "He came to Korea and pitched without even a few days of rest, and what he has done so far is amazing." He added, "He has adapted very well, and while he may need time to adjust to the time difference, doing this much in such a short time is truly impressive. His game feel has improved significantly, so he will likely pitch very well," expressing deep trust.

Buhagen fully repaid Manager Lee Ho-jun's trust. He gave up the first run after a two-run double by Lee Ju-hyung in the bottom of the third inning and a sacrifice fly by Brooks, but he prevented further runs by relying on his strikeout ability in every crisis. In particular, in the fifth inning, he retired the Kiwoom lineup of Brooks, Ahn Chi-hong, and Im Ji-yeol in order, showcasing his stability.

On this day, Buhagen threw a total of 96 pitches, utilizing not only his forkball (22 pitches), sweeper (21 pitches, labeled as a slider by Kiwoom), cutter (20 pitches), four-seam fastball (18 pitches), and two-seam fastball (13 pitches), but also one curveball and one slider each, freely deploying a total of seven different pitches. His fastball reached a top speed of 149 km/h. With precise control and a diverse mix of breaking balls, Kiwoom batters repeatedly swung and missed.

Although he did not secure a win on this day, Buhagen's performance so far is solid. In 4 games (18⅔ innings), he has 1 win, no losses, and an ERA of 2.89. His detailed metrics also reflect his stability; his WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched), a key indicator of a pitcher's control, is a low 1.29. He recorded 17 strikeouts against just 5 walks. He is rated as superior to Benigniano, whom SSG chose instead of Buhagen (average ERA 6.16). KT manager Lee Kang-cheol also praised Buhagen's control after facing him, stating, "He is a pitcher who knows how to get strikes with breaking balls."

Regarding the possibility of converting to a formal contract, Manager Lee Ho-jun said, "It is not yet time to consider that. If a time comes when we need to think about conversion, wouldn't that be a happy dilemma?" He smiled. He continued, "He tends to throw a slightly high number of pitches, but he is a pitcher with excellent pitch value and control," leaving open the possibility of him staying with the team in the future.

Buhagen, seizing the opportunity given to him within a limited six-week period, is shedding the label of "replacement foreign pitcher" and preparing to settle in the KBO League. Fans are now turning their attention to his journey.

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*This content was translated by AI.