"I was very worried when I heard that Jeon Min-jae had gone to the hospital." After four scary hit-by-pitches, a KIA foreign investor even visited the Lotte locker room in shock. [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I felt a bit relieved when I saw Jeon Min-jae play yesterday (the 3rd)."

KIA Tigers foreign pitcher James Neill (33) reflected on his four scary hit-by-pitches and once again expressed his apologies to the Lotte Giants players.

Neill started on the 2nd against Gwangju Lotte, pitching 6 innings with 3 hits allowed, 6 walks and hit-by-pitches (2 walks, 4 hit-by-pitches), and 4 strikeouts, leading KIA to a 5-4 victory in a scoreless outing.

Although the game ended scoreless, the performance was not particularly good. His sweeper and sinker slipped from his hand frequently, resulting in a career-high six hit-by-pitches in a single game. Previously, Neill's career-high for hit-by-pitches in a game was two, and for total walks and hit-by-pitches was five, but he broke both records today. In particular, Jeon Min-jae's injury was alarming. In the bottom of the 4th inning with one out and runners on first and second, a 146 km/h two-seam fastball thrown by Neill struck Jeon Min-jae on the left side of his forearm. Jeon immediately rolled on the ground in pain and was quickly substituted, heading to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with a contusion. However, discomfort remained, and he was unable to start for two consecutive days.

This is why Neill visited the Lotte locker room the next day with an interpreter. Meeting Neill ahead of the 4th Gwangju Lotte game, he said, "I was very worried when I heard that Jeon Min-jae had gone to the hospital. Fortunately, I heard he was okay, and I felt a bit relieved after seeing him play in subsequent games, but I also wanted to apologize directly to the players I hit, including Jeon Min-jae. Since I never intended to hit anyone, my sense of apology was even greater."

He added, "I also got hit by a pitch when I was a young player, and it is not in my nature to intentionally hit anyone. As a pitcher who throws many sinkers (or two-seam fastballs), sometimes the ball slips from my hand. I hope other teams understand that it was never intentional."

Entering his third year in the KBO, Neill has posted his worst statistics this season with 12 games, 2 wins, 4 losses, an ERA of 3.50, 69 1/3 innings, 22 walks and hit-by-pitches (12 walks, 10 hit-by-pitches), and 52 strikeouts. While there was talk earlier this season about the official baseball causing many home runs, Neill stated that the ball is not the reason for his struggles.

Neill explained, "My walk rate is not significantly different from before, but I agree with the criticism that my control has been worse than last year. It is difficult to attribute this solely to the official baseball. There are also challenges related to the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System), and mound heights and environments vary by stadium, so I believe the reasons are multifaceted."

The biggest reason for the change in his pitching design was to achieve better results. Neill said, "As I am in my third year in the KBO, I am somewhat familiar with the conditions of each stadium. However, as I reach my third year, I felt I needed to change my pitching style. I am fundamentally a sinkerballer with a strength in dropping the ball low. But now that KBO batters know me well, a change was necessary."

He continued, "I cannot keep targeting only the low zone, so I am trying to throw the ball higher. However, I am not yet accustomed to utilizing the high zone. I am adapting to the environment, including balance and mound height, to match the changed pitching design."

Whether he performs well or not, luck has not been on his side. Despite recording a 2.53 ERA in 26 games in 2024, Neill managed only 12 wins (5 losses), and even last year, when he had a career-high ERA of 2.25 in 27 games, he recorded only 8 wins (4 losses). When Neill pitches, many ground balls result in errors, and over three years, 32 of his 142 runs allowed were unearned. This year, he achieved his sixth quality start (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs), but he remains at 2 wins (4 losses).

Regarding this, Neill calmly replied, "Winning is not within my control. Therefore, all I can do is give my best on the mound."

Finally, he once again expressed gratitude to his former teammate Will Crow (32), who still cheers for him from the United States despite their brief three-to-five-month connection. Crow, who joined KIA with Neill two years ago, left Korea and retired in May of that year due to elbow surgery.

Nevertheless, Crow has continued to show his affection for KIA and has moved many by stating that he always watches Neill's games. Neill said, "Crow is a friend who gives me a lot of strength. There are not many people who can accurately understand what emotions foreign players feel here in Korea. Even people in the United States find it difficult to understand precisely."

He added with a smile, "But Crow is a player who has experienced this life alongside me, so he understands my feelings well. That is why he is still a friend I can rely on greatly, and I am grateful that we are continuing this friendship."

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*This content was translated by AI.