Could this really be? The 'shocking seven errors' by KIA shortstop Jared Dale, even reaching the brink of a defensive no-call, left fans in shock. Is this really okay?

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers' Asian quota infielder Jared (26) Dale is struggling defensively. Finally, during yesterday's game on the 21st, he committed an invisible error at a crucial juncture.

On the 21st, KIA lost to KT Wiz 5-6 in an extra-inning thriller after 11 innings at Suwon KT Wiz Park in a regular-season away game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

Dale started the game as leadoff hitter and shortstop, recording one hit in five at-bats, one strikeout, and one run scored. Most disappointing was his defense. He committed errors starting in the bottom of the first inning, which eventually led to runs. KIA starter Kim Tae-hyung allowed a line drive to the second base side by leadoff hitter Choi Won-jun. At that moment, Dale quickly fielded the ball, spun 180 degrees, and threw toward first base, but the throw sailed high and rolled into the opposing dugout. Dale's throwing error. As a result, Choi Won-jun was awarded safe advancement and reached second base.

An even more regrettable scene unfolded in the top of the seventh inning during KT's offensive turn. KIA replaced their second pitcher, Choi Jimin, with Lee Tae-yang. After one out, Lee allowed a single to the left field by Kim Sang-soo and a single to the right field by Bae Jeong-dae, putting runners on first and second. When Lee Kang-min hit a fly ball to right field, the runner on second, Kim Sang-soo, tagged up and advanced to third base. At this point, Lee Tae-yang left the mound and Kim Beom-su entered the game.

The first pitch was a strike. Before throwing the second pitch, Kim Beom-su threw a pickoff throw toward first base. At the same time, the runner on first, Bae Jeong-dae, got caught in a rundown. During this process, the ball rolled past shortstop Dale, and simultaneously, the runner on third, Kim Sang-soe, began sprinting toward home plate.

In a normal defensive play, while dealing with a runner caught in a rundown, the shortstop must also be mindful of the third baseman's movement, as it directly impacts the score. However, Dale was completely focused on the rundown play, completely missing the third baseman heading for home. It would not be an exaggeration to say he was on the verge of a defensive no-call. Eventually, the runner on first caught in the rundown was tagged out, but by then, the third baseman had already crossed home plate to score an additional run. For KT, it was a play that naturally drew applause. For KIA, it was an incredibly regrettable scene.

Dale, originally from Melbourne, Australia, began his professional career in 2016 with the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League (ABL). He also gained experience in the United States. After signing a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres in 2019, he played for a total of six seasons, including two in Triple-A. Last season, he joined the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a developmental foreign player, appearing in 41 games in the second division with a batting average of 0.297, 35 hits, two home runs, 14 RBIs, and 12 runs scored. His abilities were recognized to the extent that he was selected to represent Australia in the recently concluded 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

In fact, the reason KIA was the only one of the 10th teams to sign an infielder under the Asian quota was clear. Park Chan-ho, who had been the regular shortstop, became a free agent (FA) and moved to Doosan Bears, creating a vacancy that needed to be filled. Dale was evaluated as an infielder capable of playing all infield positions, with rich experience and, most importantly, stable defensive skills.

Defense must provide stability above all else. However, once the season began, Dale continued to show an unstable performance, which is also reflected in the statistics. As of his 19-game appearance, Dale has committed a total of seven errors. This is already three more than the second-place group, which includes LG's Oh Ji-hwan, Hanwha's Sim Woo-jun and Chae Eun-seong, KT's Lee Kang-min, and Kiwoom's Eo Bun-seo. This season, Dale has played in 19 games, recording a batting average of 0.301 (22 hits in 73 at-bats), four doubles, five RBIs, 12 runs scored, one stolen base (zero failed), seven walks, eight strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.356, an on-base percentage of 0.358, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.714. Can Dale make up for his shortcomings and deliver strong performances for the remainder of the season?

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*This content was translated by AI.