Following Hanwha, KT also recruited a 150-kilometer fastball pitcher in the Asian quarter, and Sugimoto Kouki from the independent league is competitive enough

Nov 13, 2025

Following Hanwha, KT also recruited a 150-kilometer fastball pitcher in the Asian quarter, and Sugimoto Kouki from the independent league is competitive enough
Sugimoto Kouki signing a contract. Courtesy of KT Wiz



The water blew up. On the same day after the Hanwha Eagles, KT Wiz also announced its Asian quarter player contract. It is the second contract after Hanwha.

KT announced on the 13th that it has recruited Sugimoto Koki (25, Sugimoto Koki) for a total of 120,000 dollars (including down payment, 90,000 dollars per year, 30,000 dollars in incentives) as an Asian quarter player.

After joining the prestigious Japanese independent league baseball team Tokushima Indigo Sox in 2023, right-hander Sugimoto played well with a 5-3 record and a 3.05 ERA in 42 appearances this season.




KT's general manager Na Do-hyun said, "Sugimoto is a pitcher with strong fastballs, sliders, folk balls, and other various breaking balls with a maximum speed of 154 kilometers," adding, "As he has shown stable game management ability by playing as a starter and an intermediate pitcher in the Japanese independent league, he is also competitive in the KBO league.", he said, revealing the background of the recruitment.

After signing the contract, Sugimoto said, "I'm honored to be with KT as the first Asian quarter member, and I'm excited to have a new challenge ahead of me." and "I'll adapt quickly to the KBO League and help the team win with a good performance."






This article was translated by Naver AI translator.