"Playing in the KBO is my dream" Japanese pitcher, 170 cm tall and overlooked by NPB, pitches 114⅔ innings in the US before arriving in Korea [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ren Abe-Arias (24, Oakland Ballers), who moved from Japan's independent league to the US, expressed his desire to also play in Korea's KBO League.

Abe-Arias met with StarNews at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium on the 30th and said, "In Japan, many people think that if you don't make it to NPB, your playing career is over. But I don't think that way." He added, "There are several leagues between where I am now and where I want to reach. I want to climb up step by step to a higher level."

Abe-Arias, a right-handed pitcher from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, is currently with the Oakland Ballers of the US independent Pioneer League. Despite his relatively short stature of 170 cm, he started all 18 games this year in the US, recording a 2-3 record, an ERA of 6.20, and 77 strikeouts in 114⅔ innings. This time, as part of the Long Beach Coast United team, which is composed of players from various US independent league clubs, he is participating in the 2026 Ulsan-KBO Fall League.

The NPB draft was the turning point that led him to decide on a move to the US. Abe-Arias recalled, "After playing one year in Japan's independent league, I thought if I got drafted, I would go to NPB. I also had a plan to challenge overseas if I wasn't drafted." He continued, "In the end, I wasn't drafted, and while looking for ways to play abroad, I got an opportunity to sign a spring training contract in the US."

Korea was not entirely unfamiliar from the start. Abe-Arias revealed, "Being Japanese, I knew a little about the KBO. I knew the Samsung Lions, and two of my friends are playing for the Ulsan Whales."

The friends he mentioned are Naga Taisei (27) and Sono Yuto (26), Japanese pitchers for Ulsan. Both were teammates of Abe-Arias last year in Japan's independent league team, Gunma Diamond Pegasus. Afterward, Abe-Arias headed to the US, while Naga and Sono went to Korea.

He also showed competitiveness in this fall league. In a game against the KIA Tigers in this fall league, he pitched six scoreless innings to contribute to his team's 5-0 victory. Describing his pitching style, Abe-Arias said, "When people hear I'm Japanese, they might expect me to pitch in a Japanese style, but I have my own way. If I keep defensive innings short, it leads to good momentum for the offense as well." He added, "There are still many areas I need to improve, but that also means there is room for further growth. I focus on every game and every pitch."

Above all, his experience of directly watching Korean professional baseball was intense. He watched a postseason game between KIA and the Samsung Lions with the US team. Abe-Arias marveled, "I had never seen a postseason game in person in either Japan or the US. The first postseason game I saw was truly shocking. I got goosebumps the entire time and really enjoyed it." He continued, "While watching that game, I kept thinking, 'I want to play here too. What else do I need to do to stand on this stage?'"

For him, who came to Korea via the US independent league, the KBO has become a new goal rather than just a destination for a visit. Abe-Arias emphasized, "My highest goal is, of course, Major League Baseball. Below that are several high-level leagues like NPB and KBO." He added, "If there is an opportunity to play on a higher stage than now, I want to challenge it. Playing in the KBO is also my dream."

Long Beach defeated the LG Twins 4-2 in the semifinal on the 30th with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, advancing to the final with an undefeated record of 11 games (9 wins, 2 draws). They will aim for the tournament championship at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 31st.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original