Written by Megan Kim at The Sports Quotient
Since the Los Angeles Dodgers brought pitcher Chan Ho Park into the MLB in 1994, Korean players have been trickling into the league as more and more teams look to Asia for prospects. Park had his ups and downs, and we’ve likewise seen Korean players both adapt seamlessly to MLB play and struggle to adjust.
It’s always a bit of a gamble, but the Minnesota Twins, in search of a DH, are negotiating with Korean first baseman and KBO League standout Byung Ho Park. The 29 year-old slugger boasts a career slash of .281/.387/.564 with 210 home runs, and the most impressive part is that he seems to be set on an upward trajectory.
In the past three seasons, he hasn’t had a batting average below .300, and last year set career highs in nearly every offensive category, including hits, home runs, batting average, and OPS. There is every reason to believe that his success should continue with the Twins.
If the negotiations pan out, Byung Ho Park will join three of his countrymen in theMLB. Let’s take a quick look at the others and where they stand for the 2016 season.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF
Choo is currently with the Texas Rangers, but originally signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2005. However, he never played a full season in the majors with them, spending most of his time with the organization’s Triple-A affiliate. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2006.
Choo established himself as a major-leaguer in Cleveland. During his seven years with the Indians, he put together strong numbers, ending with a respectable slash of .292/.383/.469.
Following the 2012 season, Choo was traded to Cincinnati. He picked up right where he left off, finishing 2013 with a .285/.423/.462 slash and showcasing both his power and speed to join the 20/20 club for the third time.
The Texas Rangers signed him to a seven year, $130 million dollar deal, and while 2014 proved a disappointing year for Choo, who was hampered by injury, he was back in fine form this past season.
As long as Choo remains consistent and continues to keep the pace he set in 2015, the Rangers will benefit from a solid right fielder/DH with a dependable bat.
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