Free agent left-handed pitcher Ham Deok-ju (28), who contributed to LG’s unified championship, has received a background check from the Major League Baseball office.
The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) announced that it received a request from the Major League Baseball (MLB) Secretariat on the 30th for an identity check on Ham Deok-ju. On the 30th, the KBO informed the MLB office that the player is a free agent and can sign a contract with any team, including overseas teams.
This comes just over a month after the Major League Baseball’s background checks on LG pitcher Ko Woo-seok and Kiwoom outfielder Lee Jung-hoo. In order for overseas clubs to sign players in the KBO, they must go through an identity check.
Ham Deok-ju, a left-handed pitcher from Wonju, was drafted by Doosan in the fifth round, 43rd overall, in 2013. He was traded to LG in 2021, and through this year, he had a 35-21 record in 397 games (30 starts-501⅔ innings) over 11 seasons with a 3.50 ERA, 59 saves, 49 holds, 먹튀검증 and 515 strikeouts.
He has spent most of his career in relief, although he did go 9-2 in 2017, primarily as a starter.
In 2018, he posted 27 saves as a closer for the Doosan, then moved to the middle of the order.
Injuries limited his contributions in his first two years after the trade, but this year he was exceptional, going 4-4 with a 1.62 ERA and 16 saves in 57 games (55⅔ innings), striking out 59 batters and serving as LG’s bullpen ace. He also pitched in the Korean Series, going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four games (3⅓ innings).
Ham Deok-ju, who was released as a free agent after the season, is a Class B player, which means he will be eligible for compensation outside of the 25-man roster. His original team, LG, has been fighting to keep him, but suddenly, interest from overseas has surfaced due to a request for a background check from the Major League Baseball office. Since he’s a free agent, he doesn’t need the club’s permission to post like Ko Woo-seok (LG).
As a free agent, he is free to sign with overseas teams, but it remains to be seen if he will actually sign. Major League Baseball is a preliminary step to signing a player, but sometimes it’s just an inquiry.
In November 2016, pitchers Kim Kwang-hyun, Yang Hyun-jong, Woo Kyu-min, Chau Chan, and outfielder Choi Hyung-woo, in November 2017, 토토사이트 pitchers Yang Hyun-jong, Son As-seop, and Jeong Jung-yoon, and outfielder Na Seong-beom in November 2021 were investigated by the Major League Baseball office but remained in Korea. Ham Deok-ju has yet to officially announce his intention to go overseas.