The Kiwoom Heroes announced on the 11th that they signed a contract with Dawson, a foreign hitter, for the 2024 season for a total of 600,000 dollars, including 550,000 dollars in annual salary and 50,000 dollars in incentives. Dawson wrote a legend of success as a substitute. Kiwoom recruited Edison Russell as a foreign hitter for the 2023 season. They joined hands again after three years, but the result was not good.
Russell was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2012 MLB Rookie of the Year draft (11th overall) and transferred to the Chicago Cubs in July 2014 through a trade. Debuting in the Major League in 2015, Russell became the champion of the Cubs in 2016 by displaying outstanding defense capabilities. He also recorded 21 home runs in 151 games, displaying batting capability.
He joined Kiwoom as a substitute for Taylor Motors in 2021, but failed to meet expectations with a batting average of 254 and two home runs in 65 games. He eventually left the KBO League after failing to renew his contract. After three years, Kiwoom recruited Russell again. It was determined that he had grown even more in the meantime. 온라인카지노사이트
He recorded a bad performance with 286 hits, four homers and 42 RBIs in 59 games this season, but fell short of Kiwoom’s standard. It was Dawson’s recruitment that came with Russell’s release.
Born in 1995 in Ohio, the U.S., Dawson joined the Houston Astros in the second round of the 2016 Major League Rookie Draft (61st overall). Making his Major League debut in 2021, Dawson moved to the Cincinnati Reds in 2022.
He played for Lexington Counter Clarks in the U.S. independent league this year. He had a batting average of 282 with 13 homers, 39 RBIs and 13 steals in 63 games.
At the time of recruitment, Kiwoom said, “He is a right-handed, left-handed outfielder and is close to a five-tool player. He is talented in attack, defense, and base running. He has strong power and fast swing speed that comes from muscular body types ranging from 1m88 and 90kg. He also has a sense of focus and base running. He has a wide range of defense and good response speed to balls,” explaining the reason behind recruitment.
In the Major League, he played in four games and recorded one hit in eight at-bats while playing for two seasons, and posted a batting average of 247 with 72 homers, 305 RBIs, 387 runs scored, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.743 in 641 minor league games.
At the time, Kiwoom’s general manager Ko Hyung-wook said, “We replaced it in a surprise way to increase the scoring productivity,” adding, “I hope you will inspire positive energy through your performance in public orders.”
Dawson quickly melted into the KBO League with his unique positive image. He showed extraordinary adaptability by taking care of not only the squad but also the front desk. A Kiwoom official also smiled, saying, “I think his friendliness is the best ever.”
He appeared in 57 games this season and successfully finished the season with 336 hits, three homers and 29 RBIs, and Kiwoom listed Dawson as a target for renewal early on.
“Dawson is a five-tool player type and has contributed to the team’s victory by playing in various positions such as offense, defense, and base running. Thanks to his unique cheerful personality, his relationship with his colleagues was smooth, and he instilled positive energy in the team with a sincere training attitude,” Kiwoom explained the background of the renewal.
“I’m more than happy to play in the KBO League again. I’m especially happy to meet the fans of Kiwoom Heroes who gave me so much love. I’ll do my best to help the team win more games next season,” Dawson said through his club.