History has been made in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Kia Tigers starting pitcher Yang Hyeon-Jong has become the new leader for all-time strikeouts in the KBO, at 2,049 and counting. The Kia Tigers defeated the Lotte Giants 6-5.
Yang pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out seven batters to make history. Now, at 36 years old, he has become the sole leader in all of KBO in strikeouts, surpassing former Hanwha Eagles pitcher Song Jin-woo, who last pitched in 2009. Behind Song on the list is former MLB pitcher Kim Kwang-Hyun, who is third on the all-time strikeouts list.
The southpaw made his debut with the Kia Tigers in 2007, beginning as a member of the Tigers bullpen. Yang transitioned to a full-time starter in 2009, where he would become the Tigers ace for several seasons. He pitched there until 2020 when he had his sights set on playing in the MLB.
After failing to be posted during the 2014 MLB offseason, Yang was able to be posted in the winter of 2020. In February 2021, he signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers. Unfortunately, his success in the KBO did not translate into the MLB. Pitching in 12 games and making four starts, he recorded an 0-3 record with a 5.60 ERA, only striking out 25 batters in 35.1 innings of work. After the season, he elected free agency, where he would return to the Kia Tigers for the 2022 season.
Since coming back to Korea, Yang has settled back into his groove, throwing well in the Tigers rotation the past two seasons. In 2024, Yang has made 23 starts, with a 9-3 record, posting a 3.63 ERA, pitching two complete games, and striking out 99 batters in 139 innings of work.
The Tigers are currently on a five-game winning streak and at the top of the KBO standings. As the playoffs loom, they will look to rely on Yang to anchor their rotation.
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WBN KBO: https://worldbaseball.com/league/south-korea/
Photo Credit: Pitcher Yang Hyeon-Jong #54 of Korea throws in the fifth inning during the World Baseball Classic. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
