700,000 → 1.3 million → 1.7 million →? LG's filial son is a foreign hitter, Rojas, and Eredia, and is setting a new record for the highest amount ever

Dec 01, 2025

KT and LG match held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 16th. LG Austin hit a solo home run against KT Park Young-hyun in the top of the ninth inning. Suwon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.09.16/

The fourth game of the Korean Series between LG and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 30th. Austin is cheering after hitting an RBI timely hit in the top of the ninth inning with two outs and runners on third base. Daejeon = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.10.30/

'Korea Series Integrated Winning IN Jamsil' event was held at Jamsil Stadium on the 1st. LG Tolhurst, manager Yeom Kyung-yeop and Austin are enjoying the joy of winning with their fans. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.11.01/

Austin Dean, LG Twins' best foreign hitter of all time, will play for the first four years as an LG foreign hitter next season.

And what draws attention is whether he spends the highest price for a foreign hitter in the KBO League ever.

Austin signed a total of $700,000 (down payment of 100,000, annual salary of 400,000 and incentive of 200,000) in the first year of 2023. He was the first LG foreign player to win the Golden Glove (first baseman) with a batting average of 313, 163 hits, 23 home runs and 95 RBIs. LG also achieved its dream of winning for the first time in 29 years thanks to Austin's performance. In 2024, the ransom rose vertically to $1.3 million (300,000 down payment, 800,000 annual salary, 200,000 incentive), and he hit a batting average of 319 and 32 home runs and 132 RBIs that year, becoming the first LG player to win the Golden Glove for the second consecutive year.

And he renewed his contract for $1.7 million this year (300,000 down payment, 1.2 million annual salary, 200,000 in InSentiv). This year's performance was a little disappointing. Taking a month off due to a side injury suffered a loss in cumulative performance.

He had a batting average of 313 and 133 hits, 31 homers and 95 RBIs in 116 games. With a slugging percentage of 0.595 and an on-base percentage of 0.393, he increased his OPS of 0.988, higher than 0.893 in 2023 and 0.957 last year.

It is true that LG played a big role in winning the Korean Series in the regular league.

LG has already confirmed Austin's renewal and is negotiating. He is also renewing contracts with pitchers Yoni Chirinos and Anders Tolhurst.

The key is the ransom. Not long ago, the KIA Tigers signed a total of $2 million (down payment of 200,000, annual salary of 1.6 million, incentive) with foreign ace James Nail. This is an increase of $1.8 million (400,000, 1.2 million, 200,000) to $200,000 in 2025.

Game 5 of the Korean Series between LG and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 31st. LG won and won the Korean Series. Austin hugs director Yeom Kyung-yeop. Daejeon = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.10.31/

KBO League match between Hanwha and LG at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 27th. In the sixth inning, LG Austin hit a solo home run against Hanwha's main phenomenon. Austin is performing a ceremony. Daejeon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.09.27/

A game between the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium on the 30th. LG first baseman Austin is defending in a torn uniform. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.30/

This is the second highest paid foreign pitcher in the KBO League. Dustin Nippert's $2.1 million from the Doosan Bears in 2017 was the highest ever. The $2 million was recorded by KIA's Hector Noesi (2018) and NC's Drew Luchinski (2022), and this time Nail became the fourth player to sign for $2 million.

Coincidentally, all four of them are pitchers. KT Wiz Mel Rojas Jr. and SSG Landers Guillermo Herredia, who renewed their contracts this season, recorded the highest amount of batters at $1.8 million.

Diaz, who had the best performance this season, hit the jackpot in his third-year contract next year. The contract was renewed on the terms of a total of $1.6 million, including a down payment of $200,000, an annual salary of $1.3 million, and incentives of $100,000. He signed a satisfactory contract for a 100% vertical increase from the total amount of $800,000 this season. However, it fell short of Austin's $1.7 million, as well as the all-time high of $1.8 million. If Diaz performs as well as this season next year, he will be able to challenge the record of $2.1 million, exceeding $2 million.

Austin is already a high-stakes player. LG clubs are expected to negotiate after judging whether their performance this season is a factor in increasing or whether they have made a performance worthy of their ransom.

In this year's pitching season, batting average and home run have not fallen, and the slugging rate has rather increased. In addition, even when his wife gives birth to a second child ahead of the Korean Series, he cannot help but consider the personality that gave a big impression to the team while training on the team without going to the U.S.

Will Austin be the highest paid hitter of all time. If the $300,000 increase is made, it will be the first foreign batter to hit $2 million.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.