CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #331
Rakuten Monkeys News: Matthew Kent
On June 2, CPBL broadcaster Wang Yi-Hsuan the exclusive on his social media that an unnamed CPBL team had signed Matthew Kent as their new foreign player.
Later that afternoon, the Rakuten Monkeys confirmed the news and announced the signing of Matthew Kent for the 2024 CPBL season. The 31-year-old American left-hander will return to Taiwan for his second CPBL season.
前富邦悍將洋投 #肯特 #MatthewKent ，據了解已拿到中職球隊合約，而且達成加盟共識，近期即將官宣加盟，連續兩年來台打中職。
肯特去年效力富邦悍將，出賽25場，戰績5勝12敗、防禦率3.23，但投了150.1局，吃局數的能力，是他被中職球隊考慮的最主要原因。…
— Yihsuan Wang 王翊亘 (@YihsuanWang_) June 2, 2024
Matthew Kent, who previously pitched for the Fubon Guardians in 2023, where he posted an average 3.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 150.1 innings. Although he doesn’t have an overpowering fastball and has a very low strikeout rate (11%) and whiff rate (15%), he made up for his shortcomings with his command, finishing the 2023 season with a solid 5.4 BB% and his ability to eat innings.
Despite his respectable performance in 2023, the Fubon Guardians decided not to bring Matthew Kent back for 2024. While the Guardians did not reveal the reasons, people suspected it might have something to do with clubhouse issues with his teammates over an incident back in mid-July.
Leading up to the signing with the Rakuken Monkeys, Matthew Kent did not play for any team but has been working out in a private training institute. According to the Monkeys, Kent is set to arrive in Taiwan next week.
Further Readings
Foreign players come and go. Therefore, we have compiled a tracker to monitor all foreign player signings for the 2024 CPBL season.