New LG Twins pitcher Yacksel Rios impresses with velocity in KBO debut

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, June 11 (Yonhap) -- When the new LG Twins pitcher Yacksel Rios unleashed a fastball for his very first pitch in South Korea on Wednesday, it elicited oohs and aahs from the crowd. And as the number "158" flashed on the scoreboard at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, some 20,000 fans erupted in loud cheers typically reserved for a big strikeout or a key hit.

The Puerto Rican right-hander touched 158 kilometers per hour (kph) two more times, and tossed four more pitches at 157 kph. He averaged 156.3 kph with his four-seamers, already the highest mark in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) by a pitcher who has thrown at least one inning.

That kind of velocity has been par for the course during his major league and minor league career in the United States. But the reception he got from the Twins faithful was a different story.

"It was an incredible game," Rios said through an interpreter, after completing a scoreless inning in relief to earn his first KBO hold in an 8-6 win over the Landers. "I heard the fans' cheers after every pitch, not just the first one. It was an awesome feeling. I have more energy left in my tank and I have plenty more to show."

The Twins announced their signing of Rios on June 3 and he made his debut exactly one week later. He said he struggled with his jetlag "for about a couple of days" and thanked his teammates for making his transition easier.

"From my first day, my teammates welcomed me with open arms," he said. "I feel like I've been here for four years already. I feel so comfortable here."

Rios, who made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 and went on to pitch for five other clubs, said some KBO teams began showing interest in him in 2021.

Though he only pitched one inning and faced four batters in his debut, Rios said he came away feeling confident that his stuff will play in the KBO.

"I felt like Korean hitters tend to be patient and take pitches," he said. "They also seemed intent on doing whatever they can to get on base. But I also felt I can handle them with what I have as long as I can find the strike zone."

The Twins signed Rios to replace struggling starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos, but will use their new hurler exclusively in the bullpen. All of Rios' 93 outings in MLB came in relief, and in Triple-A, only two of his 184 career appearances came in starts.

Considering Rios is already among the hardest throwers in the KBO, he is best utilized as a high-leverage bullpen arm. Before Wednesday's game, Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb said Rios would be eased into his role as the setup man but would also be the first long reliever in games where the starter gets knocked around early.

Rio had already entered Youm's circle of trust before even throwing his first pitch in the KBO, and the pitcher is determined to reward that faith.

"I always respect the manager's decision 100 percent and I will never say no to whatever decision he makes," Rios said. "I came here because I wanted to help the team win no matter what. I will play every game with a sense of responsibility."