Seoul: The Hanwha Eagles and the KT Wiz have taken the lead in utilizing the new Asian quota rule for the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season by signing new pitchers. The Eagles inked a deal with Taiwanese pitcher Wang Yan-Cheng, while the Wiz added Japanese pitcher Koki Sugimoto to their roster.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Eagles have secured Wang on a one-year contract worth US$100,000. Wang, who previously played for the minor league affiliate of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), has shown promising potential. Over his career in the NPB, Wang accumulated a 20-21 record with a 3.62 ERA in 85 outings. His standout year was 2025, where he achieved a 10-5 record with a 3.26 ERA over 116 innings, earning him second in wins and third in ERA in the NPB's Eastern League.
The Eagles have expressed confidence in Wang's abilities, highlighting his fastball that can reach up to 154 kph, complemented by a sharp slider. Wang's quick and simple delivery is expected to be effective in keeping runners at bay. He also represented Chinese Taipei at the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championship, showcasing his skills on an international platform.
On the other hand, the KT Wiz have signed Sugimoto for $120,000. The 25-year-old right-hander comes from the independent club Tokushima Indigo Socks, where he posted a 5-3 record with a 3.05 ERA over 42 games in the past season. Sugimoto's fastball, which can also reach 154 kph, is paired with sliders and forkballs. His versatility as both a starter and middle reliever is anticipated to be advantageous for the Wiz in the upcoming KBO season.
The new Asian quota rule, effective from the 2026 season, allows KBO teams to sign an additional player from an Asian nation or Australia, provided the player has competed in Asia or Australia in the preceding season. The financial cap for signing such players is set at $200,000, including salary and bonuses.
The Hanwha Eagles are looking to reinforce their pitching lineup, which already features the formidable American duo of Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss. In the 2025 season, Ponce and Weiss made history by each surpassing 200 strikeouts, a first for KBO teammates.
For the KT Wiz, the addition of Sugimoto comes as they prepare for potential changes to their foreign pitcher lineup, which currently includes Enmanuel De Jesus and Patrick Murphy. With the recent acquisition of former major leaguer Matt Sauer, the team is gearing up for strategic adjustments.