CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #320
Uni-Lions News: Jake Kalish
On February 2, the Uni-Lions announced the signing of 32-year-old American left-hander Jake Kalish as their foreign player. According to the team, Kalish is set to arrive in Taiwan around the middle of February.
Jake Kalish began his professional career with the Kansas City Royals organisation back in 2015. He never made it to the major league but spent most of his time in Triple-A in the past few seasons.
Over his six Triple-A seasons, he compiled a 5.25 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 541.1 innings. Out of the 127 appearances, he started 78 games. His most notable Triple-A season was in 2022 within the Angels system, where he recorded a 2.87 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 84.2 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Unfortunately, despite his strong performance in 2022, Jake Kalish was not able to replicate the same result in 2023. Although he registered a career-high 137.2 innings pitched, he also accumulated a 7.19 ERA and 1.69 WHIP. At the end of the season, he elected free agency and left the MLB system.
According to information on the Pitching Coach U’s Twitter account, Jake Kalish throws a 4-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, sweeper and changeup.
As of today, the Uni-Lions have Logan Ondrusek, Brock Dykxhoorn, Mario Sanchez and Jake Kalish as their foreign players for the 2024 CPBL season.
9 year pro – Jake Kalish
Getting all pitch shapes dialed in!
Looking for MLB org, NPB, KBO, or CPBL opportunities.@FlatgroundApp pic.twitter.com/lnr0ban7Ep
— Pitching Coach “U” (@PitchingCoachU) January 25, 2024
Further Readings
Foreign players come and go. Therefore, we have compiled a tracker to monitor all foreign player signings for the 2024 CPBL season.
An interesting signing. He deserved MLB major league shots in 2018 and 2022 but didn’t get them, and he’s now 32 years old. He seems like a good better for the Uni-Lions if he has a healthy 2014. He’s certainly going to like pitching in the pitcher friendly CPBL after pitching in one of the Pacific Coast League’s high altitude launching pads last year.
Does this mean Keyvius Sampson won’t be returning in 2024?
At this stage, unlikely. But maybe as a potential mid-season signing? His problem has always been not able to eat enough innings. As in per foreign player standard.