Kiwoom Heroes announced the signing of a new foreign bat just 20 minutes after announcing the release of foreign bat Edison Russell.
Kiwoom announced Russell’s release in a press release at 5:40 p.m. on the final day of the first half against the KT Wiz, and at 6 p.m. before the game, the team signed Ronnie Dawson, 28, outfielder, for a total of $85,000.
Born in Ohio, USA in 1995, Dawson was selected by the Houston Astros in the second round, 61st overall, of the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He spent the next two seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut in 2021. He moved to the Cincinnati Reds for the 2022 season, bouncing back and forth between the majors and minors, and spent this season with the Lexington Counter Clocks of the American Independent League’s Atlantic League.
Dawson is a right-handed hitting outfielder who is more of a five-tool player. He’s talented on offense, defense, and the basepaths. He has a strong, muscular frame at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds and a quick swing speed that allows him to generate good contact. He also has good running and baserunning skills, and is praised for his range and reaction to balls.
In his two seasons in the majors, he appeared in four games and had one hit in eight at-bats. In six seasons in the minors, he played in 641 games, hitting .2352 with 581 doubles, 72 home runs, 305 RBIs, 105 stolen bases, and a .247 batting average. This season, he played 63 games for Lexington in the independent league, hitting .248 with 70 doubles, 13 home runs, 39 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and a 2.8 FIP.
“It was a strategic move as we needed to increase our run production through a variety of offensive routes in order to rebound in the second half,” said Kiwoom manager Ko Hyung-wook.
“We hope Dawson can open up our offense in the second half. I hope he can bring positive energy to the team with his ability to play ball, field, and run. 메이저놀이터 The club will also spare no effort to help him adjust to life in Korea.”
Dawson is expected to join the team in time for the first game of the second half of the season against the Busan Lotte Giants on Nov. 21 after completing administrative procedures, including obtaining a visa.
Russell returned to the KBO three years after failing to re-sign after 2020, but was unable to complete the season due to injury.
Coming into the season bigger and stronger than he was in 2020, Russell batted .288 (6-for-63) with four home runs and 42 RBIs in 220 at-bats in 59 games this season as the No. 4 hitter. However, he suffered a wrist injury and has been rehabbing since June 16 against the Hanwha Eagles. However, with his second half coming at any moment, Kiwoom eventually found a new foreign batsman and decided to part ways with Russell after the first half.