Daegu, South Korea - In a significant move, the Samsung Lions, a prominent team in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), have announced the signing of former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Connor Seabold. The announcement, made on Friday, detailed the terms of Seabold's one-year contract with the Lions, revealing a potential earning of up to US$1 million for the 27-year-old pitcher. This contract comprises an $800,000 salary, a $100,000 signing bonus, and the opportunity to earn an additional $100,000 in incentives.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Seabold was a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2017 draft and made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2021, where he appeared in one game. His career then took him to the Colorado Rockies, where he made 27 appearances, including 13 starts, in 2023. However, Seabold struggled in the majors, recording a 1-7 record with a 7.52 ERA over 87 1/3 innings. Additionally, he made eight starts in Triple-A this year, achieving a 1-2 record with a 7.47 ERA in 31 1/3 innings.
The Baseball Savant website notes that Seabold's repertoire includes a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. His fastball average of 92.6 miles per hour would rank him among the top five starters in the KBO this year. The Lions have expressed confidence in Seabold's abilities, highlighting his command on both sides of the plate and his array of effective secondary pitches.
Seabold is familiar with South Korea, having represented the United States national team, as a member of Cal State Fullerton, at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju. His experience in the country could be an asset for the Lions, who are also in talks with right-hander David Buchanan, a team member since 2020. In addition to Seabold's signing, the Lions have replaced outfielder Jose Pirela with David MacKinnon as their new foreign hitter for 2024. KBO rules permit teams to sign up to three foreign players, with a maximum of two being pitchers.