Sunday Notes: Woo-Suk Go is Rediscovering His KBO Form in Toledo

Woo-Suk Go was considered one of Korea’s prime closers from 2019-2023. Over that five-season span, the 27-year-old right-hander logged 137 saves and a 2.39 ERA throughout 275-and-a-third innings with the LG Twins. Furthermore, his 29.3% strikeout fee was the very best amongst KBO hurlers who threw no less than 200 frames.

He hasn’t had practically as a lot success since coming stateside. Signed as a global free agent by the San Diego Padres in January 2024, Woo-Suk was subsequently swapped to the Miami Marlins 4 months later within the Luis Arraez deal, solely to be launched in June 2025 and picked up by the Detroit Tigers. His incapacity to achieve a foothold is mirrored within the numbers. He entered the present marketing campaign having recorded simply six saves and a 5.61 ERA over 75 appearances down on the farm.

This season has been an one other story. Wanting extra just like the pitcher who dominated KBO hitters, Woo-Suk boasts a 2.06 ERA, a 2.26 FIP, and a 35.1% strikeout fee over 39-and-a-third innings throughout 25 appearances, eight with Double-A Erie and 17 with Triple-A Toledo. Working most frequently in a setup position, he’s 3-1 with three saves.

Outcomes apart, how does he differ from the younger pitcher who excelled in his homeland?

“I acknowledge my strengths extra, because of the assistance from our teaching workers,” Woo-Suk informed me earlier this week, by way of interpreter Leo Bae. “That has led to me being a extra versatile pitcher, attacking the zone, attacking the hitters. I’ve additionally added a splitter to my repertoire since I bought right here.”

Woo-Suk went on to elucidate that he began throwing the splitter final season when he was nonetheless within the Marlins group, and that it has improved meaningfully since coming to the Tigers. With the assistance of Detroit’s pitching mind belief, he has seen it flip from a work-in-progress to “considered one of my weapons.” His arsenal, which hadn’t beforehand included a changeup, now contains the cut up, a four-seam fastball, a curveball, and “a gyro slider that Trackman says is a cutter, however is definitely a slider.”

As for his low-to-mid-90s heater, the native of Ganghwa-gun, South Korea stated that he’s extra involved with it’s general high quality than with its velocity. He cited his potential to trip the pitch on the prime rail, including that his main focus is to “throw it in-zone relatively than nibbling the corners.”

After which there’s the timing of his resolution to return to the US. Hindsight being 20/20, was he totally prepared for the problem when he traversed the globe on the still-young age of 25?

“I used to be in sort of a bizarre place in comparison with others, as a result of I bought a proposal a day earlier than the posting deadline,” Woo-Suk defined. “I didn’t have a lot time to ask for recommendation, or something. I sort of needed to rush every part. However I at all times dreamed of enjoying within the USA, American baseball, after I was rising up. On the finish of the day, I really feel like I made an amazing alternative for my profession, irrespective of if I turn out to be a big-league pitcher, or not. I nonetheless consider in my alternative and am going to maintain chasing the dream.”

Woo-Suk made three scoreless reduction appearances for South Korea on this 12 months’s WBC. There’s a very actual probability that he can even be taking the mound for the Detroit Tigers.

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RANDOM HITTER-PITCHER MATCHUPS

Smoky Burgess went 10 for 16 towards Seth Morehead.

Don Cash went 10 for 18 towards Ray Naked.

Forrest Cady went 5 for 9 towards Pink Faber.

Alan Wiggins went 2 for 3 towards Steve Fireovid.

Ty Wigginton went 7 for 8 towards Shawn Camp.

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Blaze Alexander bas been swinging a scorching bat for the Baltimore Orioles. Rebounding from a sluggish begin, the 27-year-old infielder/outfielder has slashed .384/.434/.571 with a 180 wRC+ over 125 journeys to the plate since early Could. On the 12 months, he has a still-admirable .304/.359/.431 slash line to go along with a 122 wRC+ and 16 extra-base hits, three of which have left the yard, in addition to eight stolen bases.

Alexander hadn’t been practically nearly as good in Arizona. Acquired by the Orioles from the Diamondbacks in February as a part of a four-player swap, the 2018 Eleventh-round select of Bradenton, Florida’s IMG Academy got here into the present marketing campaign with a 95 wRC+ over 451 plate appearances throughout elements of two seasons. His MLB debut was on March 28, 2024, simply 4 days earlier than he was featured right here at FanGraphs for the primary time.

How has Alexander modified since our spring coaching dialog two years in the past?

“I haven’t modified who I’m, however as a participant you’re evolving yearly,” he informed me earlier this month. “Yearly is suggestions for stuff you have to work on within the offseason, For example, if it’s a pitch you possibly can’t get to, you’re engaged on that. There may be additionally protection. I’ve undoubtedly modified rather a lot there. I used to be enjoying on the dust, and now I’m within the grass slightly bit too. I’m enjoying six totally different positions. So, I’ve modified in these respects, however so far as issues like mentality, I’m the identical man.”

By and huge, that’s what the Orioles needed.

“They informed me to be the identical man I used to be in Arizona,” Alexander defined. “That’s why they traded for me. I used to be already versatile within the discipline. I’m a high-energy man. I’m sort of a menace on the bases, attempting to get that additional 90 toes, attempting to place stress on the protection.”

As for Alexander stepping up his offensive manufacturing, he hasn’t made any notable adjustments to his hitting mechanics or strategy. All he’s actually completed is calm down and do his factor.

“A variety of it’s the consolation stage of being in a big-league stadium,” Alexander informed me. “In your rookie 12 months, you’re attempting so arduous to impress and show that you just belong. Now I do know that I belong. I’m probably not apprehensive concerning the outdoors stuff that will have affected me early on in my profession.”

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A quiz:

Bert Blyleven pitched for 5 groups, with 149 of his 253 profession wins coming with the Minnesota Twins. With which crew did he log his second-highest win complete? Bonus query: With which crew did he throw his solely no-hitter?

The reply will be discovered under.

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NEWS NOTES

Carlos Santana was designated for project by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday after being reinstated from the injured listing. The 40-year-old veteran of 17 big-league seasons has performed in 2,212 video games since debuting in 2010. Solely Freddie Freeman (2,258) has appeared in additional video games since that point.

Ronnie Dawson signed with the Chinese language Skilled Baseball League’s Rakuten Monkeys earlier this week. The 31-year-old former Houston Astros (three video games in 2021) and Cncinnati Reds (one sport in 2022) outfielder had been enjoying for the unbiased Atlantic League’s Lexington Legends.

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The reply to the quiz is the Cleveland Indians, for whom Blyleven was credited with 48 wins from 1981-1985. The reply to the bonus quiz is the Texas Rangers. The Corridor of Fame right-hander threw a no-hitter towards the California Angels on September 22, 1977.

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Jake Burger led Sunday Notes two weeks in the past, the subject being his loyalty to English Premier League crew Tottenham Hotspur, and his pleasure concerning the World Cup. At this time we’ll hear from the Texas Rangers first baseman on a completely totally different topic: his sneaky velocity.

I requested the 6-foot, 230-pound slugger why he has simply 4 profession steals (he has since added a fifth).

“I’d at all times inform [Corey] Ragsdale final 12 months, and now [Travis] Jankowski, that you just’ve bought to let the peacock fly,” Burger stated of the crew’s previous and present first base coaches. “However you do have to select your spots. Generally it’s not good to steal baggage, whether or not it’s on your physique or simply the crew usually. I want to get my stolen base totals up, although.”

Burger at present ranks within the forty ninth percentile for dash velocity. Perhaps he doesn’t have a inexperienced gentle as a result of his physique suggests he shouldn’t be working?

“Most likely,” Burger stated of that risk. “Vinnie Pasquantino was giving me crap once we had been in Kansas Metropolis, saying that he’s bought three stolen baggage this 12 months and I’ve solely bought one. We work out within the low season and he is aware of that I’m approach sooner than him.”

Sneaky quick. Proper?

“I’ve been chasing the elusive bolt for some time,” replied Burger, referring to the dash velocity metric of 30 toes per second or larger in a participant’s quickest one-second window. “My max is 29.6, so I’m not too far-off. However like I stated, ever elusive.”

One different Burger velocity truth: he has 11 infield hits this season, and within the earlier 4 years he had — in descending order — 9, 9, eight, and 7. He will not be Usain Bolt, however Burger can run slightly.

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FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The LG Twins have the KBO’s greatest report at 48-28. The Seoul-based membership’s prime hitter has been former MLB outfielder Austin Dean, who has 22 dwelling runs to go along with a 180 wRC+ and a .346/.422/.651 slash line. The highest pitcher has arguably been Ju-young Son, a 27-year-old southpaw who has 16 saves and a 0.87 ERA.

Hyeong Jun So is 3-0 with a 3.94 ERA, a 3.08 FIP, and a 19.7% strikeout fee for the KBO’s KT Wiz. The 24-year-old right-hander from Uijeongbu — he pitched for South Korea on this 12 months’s WBC — went 10-7 with a 3.30 for final season.

Raidel Martinez has 21 saves to go along with a 1.80 ERA, a 1.69 FIP, and a 32.6% strikeout fee over 25 innings for NPB’s Yomiuri Giants. The 29-year-old right-hander from Pinar del Rio, Cuba had 46 saves for the Tokyo-based crew a 12 months in the past, and 43 saves in 2024.

Gabriel Cancel leads all Mexican League hitters with 21 dwelling runs. The 29-year-old former Kansas Metropolis Royals infield prospect is slashing .332/.417/.676 with Bravos de Leon. He has additionally swiped 15 bases in 16 makes an attempt.

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Tommy Kahnle is a severe soccer fan. Not like the aforementioned Burger, it isn’t a Premier League crew that he’s hitched his wagon to, however relatively one within the Bundesliga. The well-traveled, 36-year-old reliever is a diehard Bayern Munich fan.

“I began to fall in love with soccer through the 2002 World Cup,” stated Kahnle, who at present pitches for the Boston Pink Sox. “That’s what actually piqued my curiosity. Germany was actually good. That was clearly a great [World Cup] for the US, as effectively. They upset Portugal, which was sort of a cool factor to see as a child. After which a part of my heritage is German, so I gravitated towards them. I used to be additionally a giant fan of their goalie, Oliver Kahn, and he performed for Bayern on the time. So, I’ve been following them for fairly some time now.”

Kahnle does take note of the EPL, though he doesn’t spend as many weekend mornings watching as he as soon as did. Being a household man is part of that, as he’s usually enjoying together with his youngsters when the video games are proven. Even so, he does activate the TV, notably when a Bayern Munich match is being aired. Furthermore, he enjoys getting his daughter concerned in that have.

“I’ve gotten her to start out yelling and screaming ‘Harry Kane!, Harry Kane!,’” defined Kahnle, referring to the previous Tottenham star who now performs for Bayern Munich, and in addition for England’s nationwide crew. “That’s sort of enjoyable.”

His ultimate World Cup ultimate?

“Because it’s shaping up, I don’t assume the USA may very well be enjoying Germany,” replied Kahnle. “They might play one another within the semis although; that’s a risk. So, I’d like to see the USA play England within the ultimate. If it’s not the USA that wins [the World Cup], my hope could be Germany.”

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FARM NOTES

Kade Anderson is 8-0 with a 1.22 ERA, a 1.55 FIP, and a 41.4% strikeout fee over 66-and-two-thirds innings for the Double-A Arkansas Vacationers. The 21-year-old southpaw got here into the season ranked third on our Seattle Mariners High Prospects listing with a 50 FV.

Luke Murphy is 2-0 with 14 saves, a 0.35 ERA, a 2.38 FIP, and a 32.0% strikeout fee over 26 innings for the Double-A Rocket Metropolis Trash Pandas. A 26-year-old right-hander who was chosen within the fourth spherical of the 2021 draft out of Vanderbilt College, Murphy was an honorable point out on our Los Angeles Angels High Prospects listing coming into the season.

Eric Hartman has 18 dwelling runs to go along with a 135 wRC+ and a .293/.354/.552 slashing line over 302 plate appearances for the Excessive-A Rome Emperors. The 20-year-old outfielder from Okotoks, Alberta got here into the season ranked sixteenth on our Atlanta Braves High Prospects listing with 40 FV.

Chase Harlan was promoted to Excessive-A Nice Lakes earlier this week after logging 10 dwelling runs, a 152 wRC+, and a .329/.438/.571 slash line over 266 plate appearances for Low-A Ontario. The 19-year-old third baseman got here into the season ranked twenty fourth on our Los Angeles Dodgers High Prospects listing with a 40 FV.

Franklin Primera is slashing .434/.558/.737 with eight dwelling runs and a 208 wRC+ in 130 plate appearances for Boston’s Florida Complicated entry. The recently-turned-19-year-old catcher from Coro, Venezuela is an honorable point out on our Pink Sox High Prospects listing.

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A random obscure former participant snapshot:

Belve Bean had a comparatively humble big-league profession. Pitching for the Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators throughout the 1930-1935 seasons, the righty — his full given title was Beveric Benton Bean — logged a report of 11-7 with a 5.32 ERA over 235 innings. On the plate, he went a good 19-for-72 (.264), with considered one of his base knocks leaving the yard. He surrendered gophers to a number of notables. Amongst these taking him deep had been Lou Gehrig, Al Simmons (twice every), Babe Ruth, Joe Cronin, and Goose Goslin.

The product of Waxahachie (TX) Excessive Faculty had way more success down on the farm. He had 20-win seasons with each the Augusta Tygers and Toledo Mud Hens, these in 1928 and 1932 respectively. His 1938 season can also be notable. One among Bean’s teammates with the Minneapolis Millers was a 19-year-old Boston Pink Sox prospect named Ted Williams.

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LINKS YOU’LL LIKE

Patrick Saunders retired this previous week after overlaying the Colorado Rockies for the Denver Put up for two-plus many years. Eli Whitney wrote a farewell tribute to the longtime beat author at Purple Row.

Erstwhile outfielder, and now broadcast analyst/author, Doug Glanville gave us an insider’s take a look at how Wrigley Discipline is baseball’s most charming occupational hazard.

The Athletic’s Jayson Stark offered us with the ten wildest video games of June, three of which featured the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cooperstowners in Canada’s Kevin Glew wrote about how “Captain Canada” Stubby Clapp continues to encourage.

CBS Sports activities’s Julian McWilliams delved into how the season has gone off the rails for Rafael Devers, Buster Posey, and the San Francisco Giants.

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RANDOM FACTS AND STATS

The Washington Nationals have stolen 87 bases and have been caught stealing 20 occasions. The New York Mets have stolen 39 bases and have been caught stealing 20 occasions.

The Tampa Bay Rays have 24 sacrifice hits and 27 bunts hits.The Detroit Tigers have 4 sacrifice hits and no bunt hits.

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt has 222 assists, probably the most within the majors at any place. Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Younger has 217 assists, the second-highest complete within the majors. Every has been charged with two errors.

A.J. Hinch has a managerial report of 999-915. A complete of 67 managers have received 1,000 or extra video games.

Henry Aaron’s first skilled season got here in 1952 at age 18 when he batted .336 with 9 dwelling runs whereas suiting up with the Northwest League’s Eau Claire Bears. The highest pitcher on the Boston Braves’ Class-C affiliate was Gordon Roach, a right-hander from Goodwood, Ontario who went 14-4 with a 3.14 ERA.

Two modern-era gamers have recorded three hits in a single inning, and each did so with the Boston Pink Sox at Fenway Park. Johnny Damon achieved the feat on yesterday’s date in 2003 in a 25-8 shellacking of the Florida Marlins at Fenway Park, whereas Gene Stephens turned the trick in a 23-3 trouncing of the Detroit Tigers on June 18, 1953. Damon’s effort got here in a 14-run first body, Stephens’s in a 17-run seventh body.

Dwight Evans hit for the cycle on as we speak’s date in 1984. The should-be-Corridor-of-Famer accomplished the feat with a walk-off three-run homer to provide the Boston Pink Sox a 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners.

On as we speak’s date in 1970, Rick Reichardt launched a pinch-hit, walk-off, two-run homer within the twelfth inning to provide the Washington Senators a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. A two-sport star on the College of Wisconsin — he was the beginning fullback for a Badgers crew that performed within the Rose Bowl — Reichardt acquired what was then a report signing bonus when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 1964. The scale of his bonus performed a job within the establishment of MLB’s newbie draft the next 12 months.

Gamers born on as we speak’s date embrace Kevin Polcovich, a local of Auburn, New York who logged 107 hits whereas showing in 165 video games for the Pittsburgh Pirates throughout the 1997-1998 seasons. The erstwhile infielder is the daddy of Kaden Polcovich, who was drafted out of Oklahoma State College and performed within the Seattle Mariners system from 2021-2024.

Additionally born on as we speak’s date was Todd Revenig, who has the excellence of being the one participant in MLB historical past born in Brainerd, Minnesota. A right-hander who performed collegiately at Minnesota State College, Mankato, Revenig made a pair of one-inning, scoreless appearances for the Oakland Athletics in 1992.