Several former Phillies among 2020 KBO stat leaders

Four former Phillies players are currently among the 2020 KBO season’s best

Just four teams remain in the 2020 Major League Baseball postseason bracket — the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League, and the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays in the American League. The Philadelphia Phillies failed to even qualify, despite the expanded format amid the shortened season due to the COVID-19 crisis.

While Phillies fans may not have much left to watch, nor interest, there are still several former players of their organization who are still competing overseas in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The 10-team KBO league began its season on May 5, with the 144-game regular season slate scheduled to end on October 18.

And, four former players of the Phillies organization, in particular, are among the 2020 KBO season stat leaderboards, entering this weekend’s action.

Aaron Altherr, NC Dinos

Aaron Altherr ranks fourth in KBO home runs (29); the outfielder played 332 games with the Phillies from 2014-19, slashing .222/.311/.405 with 36 home runs and 148 RBI.

David Buchanan, Samsung Lions

David Buchanan ranks fourth in KBO wins (14); the right-handed pitcher went 8-17 with a 5.01 ERA spanning 35 starts in red pinstripes from 2014-15.

Hyun Soo Kim, LG Twins

Hyun Soo Kim ranks second in KBO RBI (111), fourth in hits (172), and fifth in batting average (.345); the Phillies acquired the outfielder and a minor-leaguer from the Baltimore Orioles for Jeremy Hellickson ahead of the July 2017 trade deadline. Kim slashed just .230/.309/.299 with no home runs and four RBI in 40 games as a Phillie to finish that season.

Dan Straily, Lotte Giants

Dan Straily ranks first in KBO strikeouts (178), third in ERA (2.60), and fourth in winning percentage (.750); the right-hander never appeared in the majors with the Phillies, but pitched in six starts with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs from August 1 to September 1, 2019. In that 33-inning stretch, Straily posted a 5.18 ERA with 30 strikeouts and nine walks.