Kiwoom Heroes Eric Yokishi (34) is the longest serving foreign player in the KBO League. He has been playing on the Korean stage for the 5th season with Casey Kelly (LG Twins).

Yokishi’s greatest strength is his persistence. He won double-digit wins by filling regulation innings for four consecutive years from 2019 to last year, and recorded an earned run average (ERA) in the 2-point range for three consecutive years (2020-2022). He also won titles in ERA (2.14) in 2020 and most wins (16 wins) in 2021.

He has been performing well this season as well. He is 1-0 with a 4.24 ERA in 3 starts. His excellent control, which allowed only two walks while striking out 15 in 17 innings, is one of Yokishi’s secrets to survival. His ability to induce a ground ball by attacking the opponent’s left-handed batter’s course is also impossible without his excellent control.

It is also the result of his efforts that he continues to play an active role after overcoming the opponent’s increasingly severe checks. “Every year, I try a different approach by changing a little bit,” Yokishi said. “In order to succeed separately, you have to throw a good quality ball. Other pitchers, such as Kwang-Hyun Kim (SSG Landers), are consistently having successful careers even though they have played longer than me. I can’t throw a ball as good as they do, so it’s important to try to throw better than now.”

Kiwoom is a team that has an understanding of fostering. It has a large number of young pitchers with promising futures. Yokishi, who is having a successful career in the KBO League, is also in a position to give advice. Yokishi said, “I want to help anytime if necessary.” He is telling me to ‘keep your confidence’. Especially important is the fact that we are a young group that can grow every year.”

Yokishi played the postseason (PS) for four consecutive years from 2019, the first year of his debut, to last year. He even experienced the Korean Series (KS) in 2019 and 2022. However, since he has never won a trophy, he is eager to win. “We set a clear goal of winning,스포츠토토” Yokishi said. “The first is first place in the regular season. My goal is to go straight to KS in order not to get tired. A two-week break is a big help. Looking at the pattern of the KS winning team so far, the regular season 1st place team had a huge advantage. We have to aim for it,” he said with strength.