'How could this be?' KT announces 'Aqua bullpen' Sugiimoto as starter for the 11th Samsung game! 'First starting appearance of the season → Head-to-head with Jack Auriclin'

*This content was translated by AI.

A truly unprecedented starting matchup has come to fruition. KT Wiz will put its 'Asia quota' reliever Sugiimoto Kouki (26) on the mound for his debut as a starter. His opponent is Samsung Lions left-handed foreign pitcher Jack Auriclin (26).

KT and Samsung have announced Sugiimoto and Auriclin as their respective starting pitchers for the final game of the midweek three-game series at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 11th, part of the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League'.

The most eye-catching aspect is undoubtedly KT's choice. Through the Asia quota system, newly introduced to the KBO League this season, Japanese right-handed pitcher Sugiimoto, wearing the KT uniform, has secured his first starting appearance since his debut.

Sugiimoto, who hails from the Japanese independent league and boasts a fastball reaching speeds of 150 km/h, has only appeared in relief for KT this season. In 29 previous appearances, he recorded 1 win, 6 holds, and an ERA of 6.48 without a victory. While the numbers may seem somewhat disappointing, he is praised for having a clear strength in his pitching repertoire, having recorded 21 strikeouts over 25 innings.

KT's decision to announce Sugiimoto as a starter is interpreted as an 'opener' or 'replacement starter' move to provide relief for a starting rotation temporarily missing So Hyoung-jun and Oh Won-seok. Sugiimoto, who was removed from the first-division roster on May 28, underwent a build-up process in the Futures League to prepare for a starting appearance. He pitched 2 innings against SSG Landers in the Futures League on June 3, followed by 3 1/3 innings against Goyang Heroes on the 6th. Although his Futures League ERA was a poor 11.81, his appearances appear to have been aimed at increasing his innings and pitch count.

Ultimately, the key for Sugiimoto will be how efficiently he can suppress the Samsung lineup in the early innings. For Sugiimoto personally, this is a meaningful opportunity for his first-ever starting appearance on the KBO League first-division stage, and for the coaching staff, it serves as a test to leave a strong impression.

In response, Samsung is counting on its 'calculating ace' Auriclin to break its losing streak. He has appeared in 12 games this season, posting a record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 4.26. He made exactly one appearance against KT on April 5, pitching 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while surrendering 2 earned runs, resulting in a loss. Having been repeatedly outmatched by KT in games on the 9th and 10th, leading to a three-game losing streak, Samsung is determined not to lose the final game of this three-game series under any circumstances.

Will KT's Asia quota reliever Sugiimoto, entrusted with the heavy responsibility of his 'first starting appearance of the season,' deliver a surprising and brilliant performance that shocks everyone, or will Samsung's Auriclin, who urgently needs to escape the losing streak, secure a win? Fans' attention is focused on this unique starting matchup that will heat up Suwon.

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*This content was translated by AI.