International News: Former Rangers Pitcher Dustin Nippert Finding Success in Korea

Dustin Nippert couldn’t catch on with a MLB team but now finds success and fame pitching with the Doosan Bears of the KBO. Photo: Yonhap News

When players aren’t quite finding the success they, or the team, would like many of them will venture overseas to play. While the top overseas league might be in Japan, there are some others that are quite good including the Korean Baseball Organization, or KBO.

One player that fits that bill is Dustin Nippert.

Dustin Nippert was drafted in the 15th round (459th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of West Virginia University.

Nippert pitched in the big leagues for two different clubs, the Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers, but never could fit as either a starter or in the pen. So in 2011 after being released by the Rangers, Nippert headed for the bright lights of Seoul, South Korea signing with the Doosan Bears. And he has had success ever since.

Nippert’s best MLB year came in 2009 when he appeared in 20 games for the Texas Rangers. That season he went 5-3 and posted a respectable 3.88 ERA, but he could never truly establish himself.

In Seoul, Nippert was a star right away. In his first year with the Bears, he posted a nice ERA of 2.55 while winning 15 games. He had a 1.14 WHIP pitching 187.0 innings.

He finished the 2011 season second in the league in ERA (2.55), tied for third in wins (15), and tied for second in strikeouts (150).

He came back in 2012 with another solid year with the Bears. He won 11, and lost 10, while posting a 3.20 ERA over 194 innings. Once again he posted a solid WHIP of just 1.15.

This year so far, he is doing even better than the first two seasons. So far Nippert has started five games and has a 4-1 record. Even more impressive is his 1.97 ERA which currently ranks him fourth in the league.

Photo: Yonhap News It seems Dustin Nippert has found a home with the Doosan Bears where the fans are happy to have him pitching for their beloved team. Through the first month of the season the Bears and Nippert are tied for third just 1.5 games behind the league leader Nexen Heroes.

Thanks to MyKBO.net for the stats.