KBO's ERA champion returning for 3rd season with Heroes

▲ In this file photo from Sept. 6, 2020, Eric Jokisch of the Kiwoom Heroes pitches against the KT Wiz in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. (Yonhap)

▲ In this file photo from Oct. 30, 2020, Eric Jokisch of the Kiwoom Heroes pitches against the Doosan Bears in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)

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KBO's ERA champion returning for 3rd season with Heroes

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- The reigning South Korean league ERA champion will be back for his third season.

The Kiwoom Heroes announced Wednesday they have retained left-hander Eric Jokisch on a one-year deal worth US$900,000, including incentives.

The American ace has been with the Heroes since 2019. In 2019, while making $500,000, Jokisch went 13-9 with a 3.13 ERA in 30 starts. This year, on a $700,000 deal, Jokisch was 12-7 in 27 starts with a 2.14 ERA, the lowest in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

Jokisch's 2.67 ERA over the past two years is the best in the league over that span. During that 2019-2020 period, Jokisch has the fourth-most wins (25) and strikeouts (256), and has thrown sixth-most innings (341).

KBO clubs are each allowed to sign up to three foreign players, with a maximum two pitchers. From last year's group, the Heroes have already parted ways with right-hander Jake Brigham and infielder Addison Russell.

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