The Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) have released foreign-born slugger David McKinnon. The decision came sooner than expected, though it wasn't without the possibility of a replacement.

McKinnon, who signed a $1 million contract with Samsung, including a $100,000 signing bonus and a $900,000 annual salary, batted .259 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs for the Save Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball League last year. With 15 home runs in Japan, where the pitching staff is notorious for its lack of power, McKinnon was expected to be Samsung's go-to guy this season.

He got off to a good start. In 27 games in March and April, McKinnon batted .369 (38-for-103) with three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 13 runs scored.

After batting 2-for-7 with one home run, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored in 24 games in May (25-for-92), McKinnon struggled in June, going 2-for-9 (14-for-67) with 12 RBIs and five runs scored. Samsung tried various things to help McKinnon regain his batting form, including adjusting the batting order, but the results were not satisfactory.

"I think he's a little impatient," Park said of McKinnon's slump. I think it's not just me, 해외 카지노 사이트 but I think other baseball experts feel that way," Park diagnosed.

"When he had a good pace at the beginning of the season, he was able to put the ball in play and hit pitches that were in the strike zone and get good results, but I think he's lacking that a little bit lately. I think I'm in a rush and I'm getting my hands on a lot of bad pitches," he said.

"I told McKinnon that I think he's a little impatient, and he knows that. I know that, but when I get to the plate, I get greedy again. I think there's also some pressure to perform as a foreign hitter," he lamented.

McKinnon finished the first half of the season batting .272 (80-for-272) with four home runs, 36 RBIs and 28 runs scored. His lack of long-ball production was the biggest disappointment. With four home runs, he has the fewest home runs among foreign batters in the 10 teams.

Lotte Giants outfielder Hwang Sung-bin asked McKinnon on All-Star Friday how many home runs he has hit this season. When McKinnon replied, "I hit four," Hwang said, "That's right. I have four. I knew you've hit four," he said with a smile. McKinnon's pride was understandably bruised.

Samsung had a list of players to replace McKinnon in contract negotiations at the end of the first half, and they were close to an agreement. McKinnon was selected as one of the top 12 players in the All-Star voting and played in the All-Star Game on June 6 at SSG Landers Field in Incheon. He hit a two-run home run and was named the Most Valuable Player. The All-Star Game was his last in South Korea.

"We have requested a waiver from the KBO for McKinnon," a club official said on Sept. 9, adding, "We are in the final stages of finalizing a contract with a new foreign hitter, a right-handed outfielder." The team is expected to officially announce the signing of a new foreign hitter to replace McKinnon as early as Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the KBO announced McKinnon's waiver on the afternoon of Sept. 9.