“I think I can compare with Dustin Nippert.”

The head coach gave a thumbs up to the performance of Eric Peddy (30), the new foreign pitcher of the Dinosaur Corps. It is praised saying that it can be compared to Dustin Nippert (42), who was called ‘Nippersin’ at Doosan in the past and performed the best.

In fact, Peddy recorded 4 wins and 1 loss with an average ERA of 0.47 in 6 games for a month in April, and achieved a ‘post-KBO level’ performance. In terms of ERA, he proudly ranked first, beating Doosan’s Gwak Bin (0.88) and Kiwoom’s Ahn Woo-jin (0.97). In the most wins category, he tied for first place with Na Kyun-an (Lotte) and Adam Plutko (LG). In addition, with 48 strikeouts, he ranked second after Ahn Woo-jin (49), and in pitching innings, he ranked second behind KIA Sean Anderson (38.1 innings), one less than an out count.

Due to this performance, he was selected 안전놀이터 as a strong candidate for the KBO League Monthly MVP (Most Valuable Player), but unfortunately took second place, going back to Lotte Na Kyun-an. Still, there is no dispute that he is the closest player to MVP in April.

Peddy is continuing his momentum this month. He started the game against Suwon KT on the 9th and earned his 5th win of the season by throwing 7 hits (including 2 homers), 1 walk, 8 strikeouts and 3 runs in 6 innings. He is responsible for the NC mound with an average ERA of 1.02 with 5 wins and 1 loss in 7 games. And he still kept first place in average ERA, tied for first place in wins, and struck out 56, second only to Ahn Woo-jin (59).

The NC command tower is also smiling at his performance beyond expectations. Manager Kang In-kwon said, “It seems to be one of the top-class foreign pitchers I have ever seen. When facing batters on the mound, if you see him confidently, he is confident in his pitching,” he said.

He said, “Nippert was really the best player I’ve ever seen, but I think he can be compared to Nippert, as well as his major league career. First of all, Pedy seems to be the best on the mound,” he emphasized.

Nippert joined Doosan in 2011 and stepped on the Korean professional baseball stage, and until 2018, he was active with an average ERA of 3.59 with 102 wins, 51 losses and 1 hold. During his eight seasons, he pitched 1291.1 innings, boasting the appearance of an ‘inning eater’. Here, he is considered the best foreign pitcher with the most wins (102 wins) and strikeouts (1082) among foreign pitchers in the history of the KBO League. That Peddie has the skills to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nippert.

However, as it is still early in the season, he said that he would have to keep an eye on his pace and physical strength when the full-fledged heat arrived after May.

Director Kang said, “As May passes by and when it gets hotter, my stamina and pace may drop, but I think I’ll have to watch it then.” He is clearly a pitcher with those qualities and abilities.”

There is interest in whether Peddy, who has clearly established himself as NC’s new foreign ace this season, will be able to keep the fire in the fierce ranking competition with NC’s new power. kmg@sportsseoul.com