Foreign pitcher Adam Plutko (32, LG Twins) changed the question marks surrounding him to exclamation marks.
Even when Plutco’s contract renewal was announced in December of last year, question marks followed. Plutko won 15 wins (5 losses) last season. He finished his first year in the KBO league successfully as he finished tied for second in most wins. But he wasn’t the type to overpower hitters. Moreover, he started in the second game of the playoffs with Kiwoom Heroes and became a losing pitcher with 8 hits and 6 runs in 1 and 2/3 innings, and the possibility of replacement seemed to be weighed on.
His season performance does not guarantee a renewal. Even for SSG Landers, they replaced Sean Morrimando, who was recruited as a substitute last year and recorded 7 wins, 1 loss and an average ERA of 1.67 in the regular season. The KIA Tigers also replaced Sean Nolin, who showed decent results with an ERA of 2.47 with 8 wins and 8 losses. LG’s choice was different. Not only foreign ace Casey Kelly, but also Plutco renewed the contract.
The basis for that was the judgment that it would be difficult to bring in a player on the level of Plutko. The terms of the contract are up to $1.4 million (1.9 billion won, $300,000 down payment, $800,000 annual salary, and $300,000 incentive). The guaranteed annual salary was less than that of several new foreign players, including Ariel Hurado (Kiwoom Heroes) Jose Rojas (Doosan Bears, more than $ 850,000).
LG’s decision is successful. Plutko went 5-0 with a 1.70 ERA in his first 7 starts of the season. He alone was responsible for nearly half of the team’s starting wins (11 wins, 10 days). He achieved a quality start (3 earned runs in 6 or more starting innings) in 6 games, and consistently played the role of an ‘inning eater’. Kelly (2-2, 4.93 ERA) is a bit sluggish, but as Plutko fills up his share, LG has jumped into the competition for the lead. Plutko won all seven games he started. Literally, ‘the blue bird of victory’.
The second season of the KBO League. 스포츠토토 Plutko changed the pitching repertoire. He lowered the percentage of fastballs (four-seam fastballs) from 50.8% last year to 41.4% and increased the percentage of breaking balls. He more than doubled his cut fastball (cutter) rate, which was only 8.3%, to 17.8%. The cutter hit rate is low at 0.226, and the changeup is close to impregnable at 0.091. He developed into a more demanding pitcher as he controlled his pace without relying solely on strength.
He meticulously spent the off-season, including the Arizona Spring Camp in the US, and took a step closer to the ‘Korean Dream’. LG coach Yeom Kyung-yeop often praises Plutko, saying, “Plutko serves as the pillar of the team.” The grades tell us the position of Plutco.