The KIA Tigers signed right-hander James Nail (31) from the St. Louis Cardinals, finally completing the formation of foreign players for the 2024 season.
KIA officially announced on the 19th that it has signed a contract with foreign pitcher James Naile (born in 1993) for a total of 950,000 dollars, including a down payment of 200,000 dollars, an annual salary of 350,000 dollars, an option of 150,000 dollars, and a transfer fee of 250,000 dollars.
Nail, from Cape Doa, Missouri, was a right-hander who was 193 centimeters tall and weighed 83 kilograms and was named by the Oakland Athletics in the 20th round of the 2015 Major League Rookie Draft. He moved to St. Louis in 2022 and made his big league debut that year, and he played a bullpen pitcher in the Major League until last year. His overall record in the Major League was 7.40 ERA per hold in 17 games without a loss in games, and in the minor leagues, he played 155 games (35 starts) with 27 wins, 17 losses, 3 saves, and 20 holds with a 4.15 ERA.
Last season, he played in 10 games for the St. Louis Cardinals, recording an 8.80 ERA without a win or loss, and in 31 games (three starts) in the minor leagues, he recorded a 5-3 record, 3 saves, and 5 holds with a 3.66 ERA.
James Nail is a player with excellent ball control and has allowed fewer walks throughout his career. He averaged 149km and 153km in the minor leagues last season. In particular, the ball power of the curve is powerful and the sinker moves well, so he has a high ability to induce ground balls.
"Nail is a player on the 40-member Major League roster. He played many games as a starting pitcher in college and in the Minor League, and he has various pitching artefacts, so he decided to recruit him this time. I hope that he will join forces with Korean starters to adapt well to the KBO league and play a role in the starting lineup," said Shim Jae-hak, head of Kia.
BY: 안전놀이터