It's the end of June to ask us to play for a long time, but we signed a two-year contract for a foreign hitter, his skills and personality that caught the hearts of the manager's colleagues

Jun 24, 2025

Seibu announced a two-year extension with foreign batter Tyler Nevin on the 23rd. The contract was unusually extended at the end of June before the first half of the year. Photo capture = Seibu Lions SNS

The Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) is the main route to supply foreign players to the KBO League. A player who has experienced Asian baseball quickly adapts to Korean baseball. Having experienced Japanese baseball means that it has undergone the first verification. The advantage is that you can reduce the risk and start.

Cody Ponce (31), the star of this season's Hanwha Eagles sensation. I've improved my adaptability in Japan. Two years for the Nippon Ham Fighters and one year for the Rakuten Eagles. He achieved a no-hitter in his first year at Nippon Ham.

David Buchanan, who played as the Samsung Lions ace. I played for Yakult Swallows for three years and flew to Korea. After four years of winning '54' at Samsung, he left.

There are also many cases of failure. Hanwha acquired right-hander Birch Smith and outfielder Brian Ogreddy in 2023. The two, who were expected to be the first starter and the fourth batter, were expelled early with the worst performance. Smith started the opening game against the Kiwoom Heroes and was replaced after allowing two runs in two ⅔ innings. Injuries made the first game the last. Ogreddy packed up with .125-8 RBIs and 40 strikeouts in 22 games without a home run. Both players came to Hanwha through the Seibu Lions in the Japanese professional baseball league in 2022.

Last year, Samsung brought outfielder David McKinnon from Seibu. He also failed to complete the season until the end of the season and was notified of his exit in July last year. batting average of 0.294-4 home runs-36 RBIs. This is McKinnon's performance in 72 games. As a foreign hitter, there was a lack of home runs. The fact that KBO League teams continued to recruit players from Seibu means that Seibu has not benefited from foreign players.

Seibu seems to have found the right resources for the first time in a long time. Seibu announced on the 23rd that it has signed outfielder Tyler Nevin to a two-year extension until 2026. The contract was unusually extended in June, not even the All-Star break. That's how trustworthy he was.

Seibu foreign hitter Nevin has been showing his presence as the No. 4 hitter since late April. He was named the monthly MVP in May with four home runs-17 RBIs. Photo capture = Seibu Lions SNS

A club official said "He is strong in chances and solid in defense. They are devoted to the team and have good leadership, so they are essential to our team. I hope I can play as a key player for a long time." It is the highest level of praise for a foreign player. He said it was a renewal considering not only his performance but also his good personality. Coach Fumiya Nishiguchi praised "He is a really good player who is committed to the team."

Through the club, Nevin expressed his sincere gratitude to his team members, staff and fans for trusting and supporting me. I will try to perform better in the rest of the season. I will concentrate on the game in front of me."

Nevin, who made his debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, played 192 MLB games until last year. He had a career batting average of 0.204-104 hits, 12 home runs and 49 RBIs. Last year, he played in 87 games for the Oakland Athletics.

He turned to Japan at a relatively young age of 28. He signed a one-year contract for an annual salary of 250 million yen. This is the card that Seibu, who finished last in the Pacific League last year, chose to strengthen the lineup.

Seibu finished last in both leagues with a team batting average of 0.212 last year. At the time of Nevin's contract, a club official said " (recruited from Orix Buffaloes) It will play a pivotal role in the attack along with Cedeno"

Coach Seibu Nishiguchi praised Nevin, who signed a two-year contract extension during the season, as `a great player who sets an example for commitment to the team.' Photo capture = Seibu Lions SNS

As expected, it quickly melted into the team and became the center hitter. Since the end of April, he has been the fourth batter and has shown his presence. In May, he played in 24 games and recorded a batting average of 0.292-26 hits, four home runs, and 17 RBIs. He was named MVP in May.

He has been playing in all 68 games since his first year. As of the 24th, he has a batting average of 0.269 (68 hits in 253 at-bats) -5 homers -32 RBIs. It doesn't seem like a noticeable stat, NPB is a 'tugotazer' league. Nevin is ranked ninth in the Pacific League batting average, fourth in hits, 10th in home runs, and second in RBIs. Home runs and RBIs are the 'top' in the team.

He was strong in scoring chances. He has 22 hits in 60 at-bats for a batting average of 0.367. He ranks third in the Pacific League in scoring.

Nevin's father is Phil Nevin, former head coach of the Los Angeles Angels. It is a familiar name to Japanese baseball fans. Shohei Ohtani was the head coach when he played for the Los Angeles Angels.

Seibu, which had a winning rate of 0.350 last year, succeeded in rebounding by changing to Nishiguchi's system. It is chasing the No. 1 Nippon Ham Fighters by three games. 2위 오

Seibu, which fell to last place last year, has rebounded this season. He is showing solid strength to win the championship. Photo capture = Seibu Lions SNS

It is one game away from the Riggs Buffaloes and 0.5 game away from the third-place Softbank. Although it is fourth place, it is worth trying to win the championship because the difference is not big. Nevin's performance was the driving force in the lineup.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.