The Giants have agreed to terms with right-hander Marc Kroon on a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training according to Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse. He has spent the last six years pitching in Japan and will compete for a bullpen job.
Kroon, 38 in April, was a star closer for the Yokohama Bay Stars and Yomiuri Giants, striking out 12.3 batters per nine innings. He broke his own record for the fastest pitch in Japanese baseball history when he uncorked a 101 mph fastball three years ago. A former second round pick of the Mets, he pitched sparingly for the Padres, Reds, and Rockies in his career, posting a 7.43 ERA in just 26 2/3 big league innings.
The Bronx-born Kroon earned himself more than $13MM during his time in Japan.
Who?
Marc Kroon is an absolute beast on Pro Yakyuu Spirits 2010 (NPB video game), one of my favorite pitchers to use in the game! It’s nice seeing him get another chance in the states, if he pitches anything like he did in Japan, this could be a very rewarding signing….
I just got this game the other day! It’s pretty awesome. Can you update rosters with it? I’m still having some trouble navigating around due to my inability to read Japanese lol.
Haha, I know… I found a guide online and it’s helped me navigate around the menus well enough to do quick games.
is this game available in the states?
I have a “modded” PSP…
meh… Minor league contract. Giants spring training staff has worked wonders. No stress for Organization or fans
38 years old? Whoaa. He will fit in perfectly with the giants..
This has to be the most intresting minor league signing this year, I hope he makes it to the majors.
Ah, memories of Marc Kroon! He was my closer on my “fantasy baseball” team in middle school – nothing more than a simple dice game that I game up with (as we all did at one point or another). Unfortunately, I doubt he’ll perform for the Giants like he did for my team, but who knows.
Wow, the Giants got Kroon for a song!
The Yankee’s nucleus getting 20 mill a year is made up of guys around this age.
Because I follow NPB and the Yomiuri Giants as closely as I can (despite the NPB coverage in the states being nowhere near the amount of MLB coverage in Japan) I’m happy to see my hometown Bronx boy back in the states. Hopefully he can bring that 101MPH Fastball along with him. If he pitches like he did in Japan I think this could be the steal of the offseason, as he could definitely be an adequate setup man for Wilson. Plus the dude is hilarious, he’d fit in well in the Bay. I wish the Yanks would have kicked the tires on him.
This seems like a win win for the Gigantes. This is thinking outside the diamond. I am honestly not sold on Welleme…. I mean Suppan.
Now this is an interesting signing and a minor league deal no less. Can never have too much bullpen depth.
Great to have another promising arm.