CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #341
The Unluckiest Reason to Be Released
Over the years, many reasons have led teams to release their foreign players, ranging from standard performance issues and injuries to more emotional factors like homesickness.
But there’s one particularly unfortunate reason: when the other foreign pitchers on the active roster are simply too good, leaving no opportunity for the backup foreign pitchers on the farm team to prove themselves on the first team.
Last week, this happened to Jake Kalish and Jasier Herrera, as both players were let go by their teams for this reason.
Uni-Lions News: Jake Kalish
On August 8, the Uni-Lions released Jake Kalish. The news came to light when the team’s interpreter posted photos of Kalish at the airport, along with a group photo of him with his teammates.
The 31-year-old American left-hander never got the opportunity to make his CPBL first-team debut this season and spent the entire 2024 season with the Uni-Lions farm team. Kalish compiled a solid 2.30 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 74.1 innings in the CPBL minor league.
As of today, the Uni-Lions have Logan Ondrusek, Brock Dykxhoorn, Mario Sanchez and Héctor Pérez as their foreign players.
Wei Chuan Dragons News: Jasier Herrera
On August 9, the Wei Chuan Dragons announced the release of Jasier Herrera.
The 26-year-old Colombian right-hander spent the entire 2024 season with the Dragons farm team and did not receive a promotion to the first team. Jasier Herrera recorded a 3.33 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 78.1 innings in the CPBL minor league.
As of today, the Wei Chuan Dragons have Bryan Woodall, Drew Gagnon, Tyler Eppler and Rio Gomez as their foreign players.
Further Readings
Foreign players come and go. Therefore, we have compiled a tracker to monitor all foreign player signings for the 2024 CPBL season.