Last year, foreign player David McKinnon (31), who played for the Samsung Lions in the Korean professional baseball league, looked back on the reasons for his failure in Korea. It is interesting that he said it was more difficult than Japan.

McKinnon shared updates on his situation through an interview with the Japanese media 'Sportiva' on the 26th, reflecting on the two seasons spent in Japan, Korea, and the Asian leagues in 2023 and 2024. He was with the Seibu Lions in Japan in 2023 and last year with Samsung.

Currently, McKinnon, who is playing for Puerto Rico in the 'CARRY' against the championship teams of the Central and South American Winter League, noted, "I was released during last season. I wanted to take 150 to 200 more at-bats, so I participated in the winter league. If I didn't, I would have to enter spring training without getting at-bats for six months."

After being released by Samsung in July last year, McKinnon is focusing on maintaining his competitive edge by participating in the Puerto Rican winter league. It is also a way to appeal for a new team. He recorded a batting average of .269 in 38 games in the winter league, with 35 hits in 130 at-bats, 4 home runs, and 36 RBIs, while struggling in the Caribbean Series with a batting average of .158 in 6 games, with 3 hits in 19 at-bats, no home runs, and no RBIs.

Right-handed, switch-hitting corner infielder McKinnon briefly experienced 22 games in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics in 2022 before moving to Asia. In 2023, he recorded a batting average of .259 in 127 games for Seibu, with 120 hits in 464 at-bats, 15 home runs, and 50 RBIs. He achieved decent results, ranking 10th in home runs and 11th in OPS in the Pacific League, a favorable hitting environment, but failed to re-sign.

After leaving Japan, he came to Korea, signing a contract with Samsung for the new foreign player maximum limit of $1 million. Although there were high expectations for his success as a player with some achievements in Japan, he unexpectedly failed. He seemed to be off to a good start with excellent on-base ability and stable first-base defense in the early part of the season, but his power, which is required of foreign players, proved to be too lacking.

After recording a batting average of .294 in 72 games, with 70 hits in 272 at-bats, and participating in the All-Star game, he was notified of his release by Samsung just before the start of the second half of the season. Having hit 15 home runs against 'non-flying balls' in Japan, he was not expecting to struggle to hit home runs in the KBO League, where home runs are abundant thanks to the 'tension ball', and even in Samsung's hitter-friendly home stadium, 'La Park'.

McKinnon said, "There were hits, but I did not demonstrate the power the team wanted. I wanted to play for a year, but baseball is a business. If they release me, the team can bring in another player," and added, "I felt pressure during the two years spent in Japan and Korea. Foreign players are here to help the team win, so there is pressure to produce results that are justifiable."

He continued, "In Korea, it was more difficult because I was the only foreign player on the team. It is different from Japan, where many foreign players come. There are many good pitchers in Japan, and there are also excellent Japanese hitters on each team, like Yuki Yanagita and Kensei Gondo from the SoftBank Hawks, and Munetaka Murakami from the Yakult Swallows. The burden is not only on foreign hitters. In Korea, foreign hitters have greater expectations than anyone else. The environment is different from Japan."

In Japan, up to four foreign players can be registered on the first team, but there is no limit on the number held. In contrast, Korea limits the number of foreign players held by each team to three, regardless of the first or second team, and registration on the first team is also limited to three. Specifically, most teams only use one foreign hitter. Unlike Japan, where multiple players can be used, all expectations and pressure are placed on one player. McKinnon's argument is that while ample opportunities are guaranteed, the pressure to produce results is significant.

Although the internal competition among foreign players is fierce and opportunities are not much ensured in Japan, McKinnon felt differently. He acknowledged that the characteristics of the KBO League, which heavily relies on foreign players, may validate his perspective.

McKinnon, who has great affection for his former team Seibu in Japan, expressed, "Seeing Seibu struggle last year, I felt distressed myself. After being released by Samsung, I wondered if I could return to Seibu and proposed negotiations, but it did not go as I wanted. I did not suggest an outrageous amount, but they did not respond."

He continued, "I hope an opportunity arises for me to play in Japan again. Since I do not have enough power to hit home runs, it seems I won't be returning to Korea," he laughed, adding, "My wife and kids also like Japan. I miss my teammates in Japan. It's hard to go to a new team every time and introduce myself, trying to get to know everyone. I want to settle down with one team now. Although moving teams is difficult, it's also a wonderful experience. I enjoyed my time in Korea, and I really like Japan as well. I miss sushi and bulgogi. It was a great time," expressing his nostalgia for the Asian leagues.

Not knowing when an offer might come in, McKinnon, who is recharging while playing in Puerto Rico, where English is widely spoken, said, "I have regained my confidence, and I can enjoy baseball again, free from pressure," expressing his optimism about a rebound.

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