Reporter] Seven innings in two consecutive games, quick to adapt. SSG Landers’ replacement card is proving to be a success.메이저놀이터
SSG new foreign pitcher Roenis Elias pitched seven innings for the second consecutive game. In his start against the Gwangju KIA Tigers on June 6, Elias went seven innings, giving up five hits (one home run), six strikeouts, two walks, and one earned run.
In the three games since his KBO debut, he has been getting better and better. In his debut against the LG Twins on May 24, Elias was the winning pitcher, but he wasn’t quite settled yet, giving up three runs on five hits (one home run) with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. In his second start, against the Samsung Lions on May 31, he went seven innings for the first time, but gave up two home runs and three runs in the loss.
In his third start against KIA, Elias went seven innings and allowed just one run. Other than the solo home run he gave up to Park Chan-ho in the fourth inning, he didn’t allow a run, and the batters took a two-run lead in the first inning. SSG held on to the one-run lead for the rest of the day, winning 2-1 and giving Elias his second win of the season.
Elias was acquired by SSG when they released Enri Romero. It wasn’t all easy. Romero suffered a shoulder injury at the end of spring training that prevented him from pitching normally, and SSG started looking for a replacement early on, but it wasn’t easy. In some cases, clubs were interested, but the players themselves did not want to travel to Korea. The search for a replacement continued.
After twists and turns, they found Elias. SSG, last year’s champions, wanted a foreign pitcher who could provide a solid “one-two punch” this year. With so many starting pitching resources, it’s hard to make an impact with a mediocre pitcher. The competition within the team is also tough. That’s why it took longer to finalize the deal.
However, Elias has been pitching well, and sooner than expected. It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t pitched every game, but he’s showing his stuff more and more. He’s not a power pitcher with a super fastball, but his velocity and command of his pitches, especially his changeup, are good enough to be effective in the KBO. He also has a good mix of pitches, including a slider and cutter. It’s still an adjustment period, but his pitches have enough power to make hitters struggle.
If Elias keeps throwing like this, the math will change. SSG is currently in a three-way tie for first place with LG and Lotte. With Kim Kwang-hyun out of the rotation and the younger pitchers having their ups and downs, there is hope that if Elias can adapt as quickly as he is now, the team will be able to maintain its position in the heat of the season, which Kim Won-hyung sees as the key.