DAEGU, South Korea – The Samsung Lions have announced the signing of Rick van den Hurk for the 2013 season.
The native of the Netherlands pitched the 2012 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He spent most of the year in AAA Indianapolis where he appeared in 21 games (19) starts compiling a 13-5 record with an ERA of 2.92. He also appeared in 4 games for the MLB club going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA.
He has spent parts of 6 seasons with MLB clubs pitching in 50 games (35 starts). Overall his MLB record is 8-11 with an ERA just over 6. He has the ability to miss bats (8.8 strikouts per 9 lifetime), but has had trouble finding the strike zone at times (4.7 walks per 9).
He will join fellow former Major Leaguer in Aneury Rodríguez on the Lions pitching staff.
Van den Hurk has already stated that he will miss the 2013 World Baseball Classic to start preparing for spring training with his new club. He was a part of the 2009 Netherlands club that shocked the Dominican Republic twice.
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Eric Bynum is Managing Editor here at Baseball de World and an ESL teacher in South Korea. He has played and/or written about baseball for the past 30 years and is an avid Atlanta Braves fan. Eric also writes for Braves Baseball World and for Call to the Pen.
