Having arrived on a temporary contract for 6 weeks, the transition to 'regular employee' is just around the corner after 3 weeks. Luis Rivera-Torres (30), a foreign batter replacing an injured player for the professional baseball team Hanwha Eagles, has effectively pushed Estevan Florial (28) out with impressive impact in a short period.
Rivera-Torres went hitless in 4 at-bats against KIA on the 10th, but contributed 2 runs batted in, including a walk, laying the groundwork for Hanwha's 3-2 comeback victory. In the 8th inning, trailing 0-2 with runners on first and third and nobody out, he pulled a low outside forkball from KIA's bullpen ace Jo Sang-woo for a groundout to first, bringing the runner on third home and advancing the runner on first. Although it wasn't a clean hit, it was a team at-bat that resulted in a run and advanced the bases.
Then in the 9th inning, with 2 outs and the bases loaded, trailing 1-2, he swung and missed at the first pitch against KIA closer Jeong Hae-young, but drew consecutive walks from the 2nd to the 5th pitches to create a bases-loaded walk. After tying the score at 2-2, Moon Hyun-bin's game-winning hit allowed Hanwha to secure the comeback victory. With 6 consecutive wins, Hanwha finished the first half and increased their lead over 2nd place L to 4.5 games, positioning themselves for a solo lead.
With this game, which was the last in the first half, Rivera-Torres's showcase is practically over. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon noted before the game on the 8th that he had to choose between Rivera-Torres and Florial, stating, "I am thinking a lot about it. After finishing these 3 games, we should have a meeting with the coaching staff to make a decision."
Rivera-Torres, who signed a contract with Hanwha as an injury replacement foreign player for a total amount of $50,000 on the 17th of last month, sees his contract end on the 25th. However, the organization has already decided internally to secure an extension by notifying the intention to extend the contract before that date. There are still 8 remaining games in the second half, but it was possible to comment that a focus had shifted toward Rivera-Torres given that manager Kim Kyung-moon said he would decide after watching the last 3 games of the first half. While one could wait until the game against SSG in Daejeon on the 25th for a safe decision, there was already a hint that they did not want to drag out the timing.
Since debuting on the 22nd of last month against Kiwoom in Daejeon, Rivera-Torres has won over manager Kim Kyung-moon in just 3 weeks. In 15 games, he has a batting average of .387 (24 hits in 62 at-bats), with 2 home runs and 13 runs batted in, an on-base percentage of .441, a slugging percentage of .565, and an OPS of 1.006. While it's a small sample size, he has shown contact ability as a spray hitter, evenly distributing his hits to all parts of the field without distinguishing between right and left-handed pitchers. Although the batting average on balls in play (BABIP) is high at .489, indicating some favorable luck, the quality of his contact has been excellent. He has dealt with situations appropriately, attacking when needed and patiently waiting for his pitch. His batting average with runners in scoring position is .600, demonstrating decisiveness in crucial moments. It is particularly remarkable that he is producing such numbers against unfamiliar pitchers.
While Hanwha's batting lineup had been lacking compared to their strong pitching staff, Rivera-Torres's arrival has ignited the offense. After Rivera-Torres's addition, Hanwha's team batting average is .281, OPS is .771, and average runs scored is 5.5, all ranking second in the league. Before his joining, their batting average was 7th (.254), OPS was 7th (.704), and average runs scored was 6th (4.44), showing a significant rise.
His impact on batting has been tremendous, and his performance in center field and base running has not lagged behind. His excellent interpersonal skills have also uplifted team morale. The fact that a successful team should not be disturbed and needs to maintain continuity is another reason why Hanwha must choose to stick with Rivera-Torres. Since his joining, Hanwha has achieved a record of 10 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie (winning percentage .714), solidifying their position at the top.
When he arrived on the 19th of last month, Rivera-Torres brought his wife and 14-month-old daughter, showcasing his strong desire for success in Korea. With half of his 6-week contract already gone, he has solidified his transition to a regular position. After finishing the game against KIA on the 9th, Rivera-Torres expressed his thoughts on extending the contract, saying, "That's something I can't control. I only think about doing my best for the team at the baseball field every day," while also noting, "I feel sorry for Florial, but the truth is I want to stay here and play baseball. I'd like to finish the season in Korea, but neither Florial nor I know how things will turn out. The heavens will decide."
Florial, who was injured and removed from the game due to a fracture in his left pinky finger after being hit by a pitch from Jeong Hae-young in the 10th inning against KIA on the 10th of last month, took a 3-week vacation back in the U.S. for treatment. He spent time with his wife, who is expecting their second child, and returned on the 8th, but a lot has changed in the 3 weeks. Florial, who has been selected for the All-Star best 12, cannot participate in games due to the injury but is expected to attend the All-Star events scheduled at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 11th and 12th. This could potentially serve as his last opportunity to say goodbye.
This season, Florial has recorded a batting average of .271 (70 hits in 258 at-bats), with 8 home runs, 29 runs batted in, and 13 stolen bases, for an OPS of .783. While he experienced significant fluctuations in hitting and made various mistakes in defense and base running, he adapted to the league, particularly rising in performance as the leadoff hitter starting in mid-May. However, an unexpected injury from being hit by a pitch halted his progress, and he now finds himself in a situation where he might have to step aside. If Hanwha extends their contract with Rivera-Torres, it will count as an international player replacement and Florial will undergo waiver procedures. If he has a desired team within a week, he can transfer, and the remaining contract will be honored. If no desired team is found, he will not be able to play in the league for the remainder of the season, and Hanwha will need to pay the remaining salary.
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