Past I-Cubs Start Strong in KBO

Eleven games in to the Korean Baseball Organization season, former I-Cubs blanket the leader boards. Keep reading for your weekly update of KBO action.

LHP Eric Jokisch – Kiwoom Heroes

Jokisch checks in with a 2-0 record and a 0.53 ERA (1ER/17.0IP) through three games – the second-best ERA in the KBO. Only NC’s Koo Chang-mo has the lefty bested with no earned runs allowed through 15.0 innings. Jokisch has not allowed an earned run through his last two starts (12.0IP) and has not given up more than two earned runs in a KBO outing since Aug. 17 of last season – a span of 10 outings.

INF Dixon Machado – Lotte Giants

Machado is batting .275 (11-for-40) with four home runs and a team-leading 14 RBI through 11 games. His RBI count is tied for second in the KBO – even with Kim Jae Hwan and trailing former big league outfielder, Preston Tucker with 20.

RHP Aaron Brooks – Kia Tigers

Brooks boasts a 3.00 ERA (7ER/18.0IP) through three starts for the Tigers. He has fanned 17 batters without issuing a walk or serving up a home run. He is the only pitcher in the KBO with 10 or more strikeouts and no walks. Four of Brooks’ seven earned runs on the season came in his most recent start on May 17 against Doosan (4ER/5.1IP). His 18 innings pitched are tied for the third-most in the KBO.

RHP Dan Straily – Lotte Giants

Straily ranks eighth in the KBO with a 2.12 ERA (4ER/17.0IP) and has fanned 19 while issuing just six walks. On May 10, the righty fanned 11 through 7.0 scoreless innings against Hanwha.

RHP Drew Rucinski – NC Dinos

Rucinski limited the Wyverns to two runs through 6.0 innings in his last start on May 17. The righty is 2-0 this season with a 3.63 ERA (7ER/17.1IP). His 17.1 innings pitched are the fifth-most in the KBO.

RHP Casey Kelly – LG Twins

Kelly gave up five earned runs through 2.0 innings in his first outing of the season, but bounced back with 6.0 scoreless frames in a start against Kiwoom on May 16. Overall, Kelly is 1-0 with a 5.62 ERA (5ER/8.0IP).