'New foreign pitcher also has an ERA of 7.33' — Will things change in the second half? The bleak reality of SSG, where there is no choice but to believe

*This content was translated by AI.

Among the 10th teams, SSG Landers, whose starting rotation has been rated as the worst, saw its new hope, Thomas Hatch (32), struggle again in his fifth game.

Hatch started against the Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 9th in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game, throwing 62 pitches over 3 innings, allowing 5 hits (including 2 home runs), issuing 2 walks and strikeouts, and giving up 6 runs (3 earned).

He surrendered two home runs early in the game, losing momentum, and ultimately could not overcome the large deficit as his team lost 0-7. Hatch fell to 1 win and 3 consecutive losses after his first victory.

Mixing two types of fastballs with a top speed of 151 km/h, he threw only 17 pitches. He also mixed in 29 sliders (average 140 km/h), 9 changeups (average 136 km/h), and 7 sweepers (average 132 km/h).

While fastballs typically account for about half of a starting pitcher's pitch count, Hatch's fastball usage was only 27.5%. Of course, pitchers who use breaking balls not only to get counts but also as decisive weapons often have higher breaking ball ratios, yet Hatch has been unable to dominate batters at all.

Over his last four games, he pitched more than 5 innings on average, but opposing batters had no trouble attacking him, posting a batting average against of 0.337.

SSG's expectations for Hatch were clear. SSG has the weakest mound in the league this season. In particular, starters rarely manage long innings, and that burden is being transferred to the bullpen, which was the strongest last year.

The team recorded only 10 quality starts (6+ innings with 3 or fewer earned runs), just one-fourth of the leading Doosan's 40. Additionally, five pitchers have recorded more quality starts than SSG.

First and foremost, there was hope that he would fulfill at least the minimum role of a starter. With new rookie Kim Min-jun and newly acquired Pedro Avila joining the rotation, it was expected that if these three new starters could stabilize the team, then Kim Geon-woo, Shota Takeda, and others would also gain momentum.

Manager Lee Seung-yong said, "That is why we also changed (Anthony) Venegas. If just one or two pitchers can hold firm, I believe their synergy will improve everything. Although I have been manager for three years, based on experience, I hope they can play a role in changing the atmosphere."

Nevertheless, Hatch collapsed from the second inning. After allowing the lead batter to reach base due to an infielder's error, he gave up a go-ahead two-run home run to An Jae-seok. Then, after walking Park Chan-ho and recording two strikeouts, he made a mistake against Kang Seung-ho, resulting in another painful two-run home run.

In the third inning, Hatch allowed consecutive hits and walks before surrendering a two-RBI single, leading to his replacement by Choi Min-jun before the fourth inning began.

Hatch was signed to fill the spot left vacant by first starter Mitch White's prolonged injury, but he bowed his head once again. His ERA rose from 7.08 to 7.33. Although three of his six runs were unearned due to errors, he only managed 3 innings.

Before the game, Manager Lee Seung-yong expressed hope: "If Avila comes and stabilizes the rotation, Hatch will improve as well. Choi Min-jun, Kim Geon-woo, and Takeda will also get better."

Avila is expected to make his debut in the second half of the season. Kim Min-jun has already drawn attention with impressive pitching that helped end the team's nine-game losing streak. Both are worth expecting strong performances from in the second half.

However, Hatch left only regrets in his five starts during the first half. Unlike when he was signed, he has significantly lowered expectations on his own. Nevertheless, SSG, having already used both of its substitution options, finds itself in a bleak situation where believing is all they can do as they head into the second half.

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*This content was translated by AI.