1. Overview
Eric Spenser Jokisch is an American left-handed pitcher known for his tenures in both Major League Baseball and the KBO League. After being drafted twice, he made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2014. He later became a prominent foreign pitcher in the KBO League, achieving league-leading statistics, including an ERA title and co-wins titles, during his successful multi-season career with the Kiwoom Heroes. He subsequently returned to the KBO League with the NC Dinos.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Eric Jokisch's early baseball journey began in his home state of Illinois, progressing through high school and collegiate summer leagues before his professional draft.
2.1. Birth and Early Education
Jokisch was born on July 29, 1989, in Springfield, Illinois, United States. He attended Virginia High School in Virginia, Illinois.
2.2. College and Amateur Baseball
After high school, Jokisch was initially drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 39th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. However, he opted not to sign, choosing instead to play college baseball at Northwestern University. In 2009, he further honed his skills in collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
3. Professional Career
Jokisch's professional career spans multiple organizations within Major League Baseball's minor league system and a significant, impactful period in the KBO League.
3.1. Major League Baseball (MLB) Organizations
Jokisch began his professional career within the Chicago Cubs organization, eventually making his MLB debut, followed by stints with several other MLB minor league affiliates.
3.1.1. Chicago Cubs and MLB Debut
The Chicago Cubs selected Jokisch in the 11th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, marking him as the 340th overall pick. He signed with the Cubs and began his professional journey within their farm system. In 2013, while pitching for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, he achieved a notable milestone by pitching a no-hitter.
On September 2, 2014, Jokisch received his first call-up to the major leagues, making his MLB debut. During his time in the majors with the Cubs, he appeared in 4 games, including 1 start, pitching 14.1 innings with a 1.88 ERA and allowing 3 home runs. In the minor leagues that year, pitching for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, he recorded a 9-10 record with a 3.58 ERA over 26 starts, including one shutout, and a 1.18 WHIP. During a "Rookie Hazing Day" event, he notably dressed up as the character Luigi. In 2015, he did not make any MLB appearances. He pitched in 3 starts for the rookie-level Arizona League Cubs, achieving an impressive 0.79 ERA, and also made 14 starts for Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 4-5 record with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP.
3.1.2. Other MLB Minor League Stints
On April 13, 2016, Jokisch was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins. He made one start for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns before appearing in 18 games for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, where he posted a 2.64 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. On July 6, he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Don Kelly. He subsequently cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Jacksonville on July 8.
Later on July 8, 2016, the Marlins traded Jokisch to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Pedro Ciriaco. As he had been outrighted earlier that day, he did not occupy a spot on Texas' 40-man roster. With the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express, he pitched in 7 games (4 starts), logging a 4.13 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 24 innings. Across all four minor league teams he played for in 2016, he appeared in 27 games (6 starts), recording a 3-2 record with one save, a 4.00 ERA, and 42 strikeouts. Jokisch elected free agency on November 7, 2016.
On February 26, 2017, Jokisch signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. During the 2017 season, he primarily played for the Triple-A Reno Aces, also making one start for the Double-A Jackson Generals. In 28 games (21 starts) for Reno, he compiled an 8-8 record and a 4.21 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 134.2 innings. Across both minor league affiliates in 2017, he appeared in 29 games (22 starts), finishing with an 8-8 record, a 4.09 ERA, and 97 strikeouts. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.
On December 7, 2017, Jokisch signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization, which included an invitation to spring training. He spent the entire 2018 season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, making 26 appearances (23 starts). He registered a 5-11 record and a 4.06 ERA with 121 strikeouts over 148.2 innings. Jokisch elected free agency after the season on November 2, 2018.
3.2. KBO League Career
After his time in MLB organizations, Eric Jokisch found significant success in the KBO League, establishing himself as a highly effective foreign pitcher. In the KBO League, his registered name was 요키시YokisiKorean.
3.2.1. Kiwoom Heroes
On November 23, 2018, Jokisch signed a one-year contract worth 500.00 K USD with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League, then known as the Nexen Heroes. He was brought in to replace pitcher Eric Hacker. In his debut season in 2019, he recorded a 13-9 record with a 3.13 ERA over 181.1 innings, leading the team in wins and helping them reach the Korean Series. He re-signed with Kiwoom for the 2020 season on a one-year contract worth 700.00 K USD.
In 2020, Jokisch continued his strong performance, leading the team with 12 wins and pitching 159.2 innings with an outstanding 2.14 ERA, which earned him the KBO League's ERA title. Following this successful season, he re-signed with the Heroes for the 2021 season on a one-year deal valued at 900.00 K USD. In 2021, he tied for the league lead in wins with 16, sharing the title with David Buchanan of the Samsung Lions. He also ranked second in innings pitched with 181.1 innings and fourth in ERA with 2.93 ERA.
On December 30, 2021, he re-signed with the Heroes for a fourth season on a one-year deal worth up to 1.30 M USD. In 2022, Jokisch made 30 starts for Kiwoom, registering a 10-8 record and a 2.57 ERA with 154 strikeouts across a career-high 185.2 innings. This marked his fourth consecutive season with double-digit wins. His tenure with the Heroes continued as he re-signed a one-year contract worth 1.50 M USD on December 11, 2022. In 2023, he made 12 starts for the team, posting a 5-3 record and a 4.39 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 65.2 innings. In early June, Jokisch suffered a tear in his left adductor muscle, which was expected to sideline him for six weeks. As a result, the Heroes released him on June 16, signing Ian McKinney as his replacement. He became a free agent on June 23, 2023. Over his five seasons with the Kiwoom Heroes, Jokisch pitched in 130 games, accumulating a total of 56 wins and 36 losses with a combined 2.85 ERA.
3.2.2. NC Dinos
On July 31, 2024, Jokisch signed with the NC Dinos of the KBO League as a mid-season replacement player for Daniel Castano. Prior to signing with the Dinos, he had participated in an entry test with the Doosan Bears in June 2024, but the Bears ultimately signed Keisho Shirakawa instead. In 8 starts for the NC Dinos, Jokisch posted a 3-4 record with a 5.72 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 39.1 innings. He became a free agent following the 2024 season on November 30.
3.3. Jersey Numbers
Throughout his career, Eric Jokisch has worn the following jersey numbers:
- No. 43 (2014, 2019-2023)
- No. 20 (2024)
4. Career Statistics
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of Eric Jokisch's pitching statistics throughout his professional career in both Major League Baseball and the KBO League.
| Year | Team | Games Pitched | Starts | Complete Games | Shutouts | Wins | Losses | Saves | Holds | Win-Loss % | Batters Faced | Innings Pitched | Hits Allowed | Home Runs Allowed | Walks | Intentional Walks | Hit Batters | Strikeouts | Wild Pitches | Balks | Runs Allowed | Earned Runs | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | CHC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 66 | 14.1 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1.88 | 1.54 |
| 2019 | Kiwoom | 30 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 | .591 | 746 | 181.1 | 166 | 9 | 39 | 0 | 11 | 141 | 6 | 0 | 72 | 63 | 3.13 | 1.13 |
| 2020 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | .632 | 640 | 159.2 | 144 | 6 | 25 | 0 | 6 | 115 | 3 | 1 | 53 | 38 | 2.14 | 1.06 | |
| 2021 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 0 | 0 | .640 | 739 | 181.1 | 171 | 12 | 46 | 2 | 4 | 131 | 9 | 0 | 71 | 59 | 2.93 | 1.20 | |
| 2022 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | .556 | 746 | 185.1 | 169 | 8 | 33 | 0 | 5 | 154 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 53 | 2.57 | 1.09 | |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .625 | 286 | 65.2 | 82 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 32 | 4.39 | 1.46 | |
| MLB Totals: 1 Year | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 66 | 14.1 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1.88 | 1.54 | |
| KBO Totals: 5 Years | 130 | 130 | 1 | 1 | 56 | 36 | 0 | 0 | .609 | 3157 | 773.1 | 732 | 38 | 157 | 3 | 29 | 592 | 21 | 1 | 294 | 245 | 2.85 | 1.15 | |