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국내 최고의 마무리투수 중 한명인 삼성 라이온즈의 오승환이 메이저리그 진출을 감행할지에 대한 관심이 뜨겁다.
지난 5일, 넥센 히어로즈와 삼성 라이온즈와의 경기 당시 다수의 메이저리그 (MLB) 스카우트들이 목동경기장을 찾았다.
이들은 오승환을 보러 온 것으로 알려졌는데, 오승환은 이날 11회 말에 등판해 1⅓ 이닝동안 5명의 타자를 4사구나 안타 없이 요리하면서 무실점으로 틀어막았다.
이날 오승환을 지켜본 MLB관계자들 중에는 메이저리그팀인 디트로이트와 보스턴, 시카고 컵스, 텍사스, 미네소타 등에서 파견 나온 스카우트들이 포함된 것으로 알려졌다. 또한 다수의 일본 프로팀 관계자들도 자리에 있었다고 한다.
이들은 오승환이 등장하자 스피드건을 들고 구속을 체크하는 등 오승환의 투구를 분석했다. 이날 오승환은 최고 시속 150km를 넘나드는 직구를 선보이며 깊은 인상을 남겼다.
이 경기에서 삼성과 넥센은 연장 12회말까지 가는 접전 끝에 3-3으로 비겼다.
이날 많은 취재진이 오승환의 인터뷰를 요청했으나, 오승환은 경기 전부터 구단 관계자를 통해 메이저리그 관련 인터뷰를 사양하겠다고 전했다.
삼성 구단 관계자는 “오승환이 아직 FA(자유계약) 신분이 아닌데다 MLB에 진 한다 해도 구단의 허락을 받아야 하는 상황이어서 모든 발언을 신중하게 하고 있다”고 밝혔다.
2005년 프로에 데뷔한 오승환은 올 시즌 후 구단의 동의를 얻어 국외 무대에 진출할 수 있는 FA 자격을 취득할 수 있다.
올 시즌 전까지 메이저리그에 진출하는 선수들은 모두 유망주들이었다. 박찬호, 추신수, 김병현 등 메이저리그에서 한 획을 그은 선수들은 유망주 시절 진출해 미국에서 프로 생활을 시작했다.
그러나 최근 류현진 (LA 다저스)가 한국 프로야구에서 메이저리그로 직행한 첫 선수가 되면서 한국 프로선수에 대한 미국 팀들의 관심이 뜨거워진 것으로 보인다.
전성기를 구가하고 있는 오승환과 삼성이 올시즌 이후 어떠한 선택을 내릴지가 주목된다. (코리아헤럴드)
<관련 영문 기사>
Korean relief pitcher grabs MLB‘s attention
Oh Seung-hwan, a relief pitcher for the Samsung Lions of South Korea’s top professional baseball league, is garnering attention from U.S. pro baseball clubs.
Several Major League Baseball scouts attended the Lions game against the Nexon Heroes at Seoul’s Mokdong Stadium on Wednesday, reportedly to watch Oh play. The game ended in a draw after 12 innings.
Oh made a strong impression in front of the scouts, appearing at the bottom of the 11th inning to shut out four batters, striking out one without allowing hits or walks.
According to a South Korean daily, officials from the MLB and Japanese pro teams “seemed to be deeply impressed” by Oh’s fastball that reached a maximum speed of 155 km (96.3 miles) per hour.
Widely considered one of the top relief pitchers in Korea, Oh is famous for his fastballs as well as his poker-straight game face, which has earned him the nickname Dol-bucheo (Stone Buddha).
As Samsung’s key closer, Oh is usually entrusted with the task of shutting teams down late in the game. He is currently recording 12 saves with a 0.50 ERA in 18 innings.
Local experts said that the 31-year-old may try to play in the MLB soon. Oh’s contract with the Lions expires after the 2013 season and given his age, this may be the prime time for him to attempt the jump into the big league.
In the past, U.S. teams rarely found Korean professional players appealing. Compared to American players, Korean baseball players lacked power and athleticism.
Because of this perception, MLB scouts often looked at college or high school prospects but rarely pro players. From Park Chan-ho, formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to Choo Shin-soo of the Cincinnati Reds, every big-shot MLB player of Korean descent started their pro careers in the U.S.
A change in trend was hinted when the Dodgers signed Ryu Hyun-jin in December 2012. Ryu, the first player ever to make the jump from the Korean Baseball Organization to the MLB, is considered one of the top rookies in the National League, recording six wins with little over a quarter of the season played.
Boosted by Ryu’s success, more American clubs seem to be turning their eyes to South Korea.
Oh, however, remains cautious on talks about his future. Prior to the post-game interview on Wednesday, Oh told his team that he will not answer any questions related to the MLB.
“Oh is not yet a free agent and he needs to get his team’s consent to sign with an MLB team, so he is prudent about his comments,” said an official from the Samsung Lions.
Under KBO regulations, a player must play at least seven years in the KBO and get consent from his team to play in a foreign league. College players like Oh must play eight full seasons to qualify.
Oh is currently playing his eighth full season.
By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)
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