Korean 3B Jeong Choi Aims to Play in the US Next Year

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He's a free agent after this KBO season: http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24540799/choi-the-david-wright-of-korea-aiming-to-play-in-mlb-in-2015

 

Choi, sometimes cited as Korea's version of David Wright for his all-around play and good looks, is known as a five-tool player and excellent athlete in the Korean League. Choi, 27, has hit .300 and posted an OPS over .900 each of the past four seasons playing for SK Wyverns while averaging more than 23 home runs. His best season was his last season, as he hit 28 home runs, good for third in the league, slugged .551 (second in the league) and got on base at a .429 rate (second). He also has shown 20-steal ability in Korea.

 

Commence teeth-gnashing.

[Tyrant]

With Rizzo's weird face, the Cubs could use some more good looking players.

[SouthSideRyan]

So help me out, he'd be a part of this coming IFA pool meaning we'd have no chance at him considering our limitations right?

[jersey cubs fan]

So help me out, he'd be a part of this coming IFA pool meaning we'd have no chance at him considering our limitations right?

at 27 already I do not believe that is the case.

[SouthSideRyan]

So help me out, he'd be a part of this coming IFA pool meaning we'd have no chance at him considering our limitations right?

at 27 already I do not believe that is the case.

 

That'd be correct.

[imb]

http://cfile213.uf.daum.net/image/195F6B505135359A2A033B

 

man like indistinguishable from david wright

[ConstableRabbit]

We already have a good looking 3B with a great all around game tho.

[davell]

I wish he played a different position.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't want him. He's hitting in the #@#$ Korean League. That's not even hitting in the Cuban or Japanese leagues, it's a step below that.

 

But I reserve the right to be mad later if he turns out to be good.

[A New Era]

I don't want him. He's hitting in the #@#$ Korean League. That's not even hitting in the Cuban or Japanese leagues, it's a step below that.

 

But I reserve the right to be mad later if he turns out to be good.

 

I feel this way.

[d_money]

Good, if the Cubs sign him, I can break out my Cubs "Pro Choi" t-shirt

[Guest]

I wish he played a different position.

 

Why?

 

Olt sucks, Bryant is much better off in the OF (if he doesn't out-mark reynolds mark reynolds), Villanueva is meh, and if Baez can make enough contact to be worthwhile, he can handle 2B.

[Guest]

I wish he played a different position.

 

Why?

 

Olt sucks, Bryant is much better off in the OF (if he doesn't out-mark reynolds mark reynolds), Villanueva is meh, and if Baez can make enough contact to be worthwhile, he can handle 2B.

What makes you say Bryant is much better off in the OF?

[Guest]

I wish he played a different position.

 

Why?

 

Olt sucks, Bryant is much better off in the OF (if he doesn't out-mark reynolds mark reynolds), Villanueva is meh, and if Baez can make enough contact to be worthwhile, he can handle 2B.

What makes you say Bryant is much better off in the OF?

 

Because I think he can actually be good there while I think he's probably going to be bad at 3B.

[Guest]

I wish he played a different position.

 

Why?

 

Olt sucks, Bryant is much better off in the OF (if he doesn't out-mark reynolds mark reynolds), Villanueva is meh, and if Baez can make enough contact to be worthwhile, he can handle 2B.

What makes you say Bryant is much better off in the OF?

 

Because I think he can actually be good there while I think he's probably going to be bad at 3B.

what, because scouts have a preconception that a tall guy will have issues at 3b?

[Guest]

I'm willing to buy into that idea and have espoused it before...I'm also willing to believe that he's actually not a passable 3B and there have been reports to support either side, I suppose.

[Tryptamine]

I understood passing on Abreu because we already had Rizzo; I will not be as understanding if we pass on him or prospects that may or may not play 3B and may or may not be successful once they get to the bigs.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

ok i'll be that guy. is he bros with hee-seop?

[Sammy Sofa]

I like this new looks-based scouting system. Given how ugly most of the Cubs are it seems essential that they land this guy.

[Guest]

I understood passing on Abreu because we already had Rizzo; I will not be as understanding if we pass on him or prospects that may or may not play 3B and may or may not be successful once they get to the bigs.

Is he worth pursuing, really? Just because he wants to play doesn't make him a player. I'm asking because I haven't the slightest idea how his numbers translate to MLB numbers. He'll be 28 next year.

[Tryptamine]

I understood passing on Abreu because we already had Rizzo; I will not be as understanding if we pass on him or prospects that may or may not play 3B and may or may not be successful once they get to the bigs.

Is he worth pursuing, really? Just because he wants to play doesn't make him a player. I'm asking because I haven't the slightest idea how his numbers translate to MLB numbers. He'll be 28 next year.

 

We really don't have any kind of history with Korean hitters being successful outside of Choo. With that said, when numbers start floating around we'll see if he's really a guy worth having.

[d_money]

Cubans > Koreans

[Guest]

I understood passing on Abreu because we already had Rizzo; I will not be as understanding if we pass on him or prospects that may or may not play 3B and may or may not be successful once they get to the bigs.

Is he worth pursuing, really? Just because he wants to play doesn't make him a player. I'm asking because I haven't the slightest idea how his numbers translate to MLB numbers. He'll be 28 next year.

 

We really don't have any kind of history with Korean hitters being successful outside of Choo. With that said, when numbers start floating around we'll see if he's really a guy worth having.

 

Shin-Soo Choo isn't a fair comparison since he signed with the Mariners out of high school, a la Hak-Ju Lee, Dae-Eun Rhee and Jae-Hoon Ha. Hyun-Jin Ryu is the only player I can think of in recent years to have a run in the KBO before coming over to the MLB but he's a pitcher.

 

ETA: Looking it up, just realized Choo and Hee Seop Choi are the only hitters who are Korean natives who've played in the big leagues.

[Sammy Sofa]

I understood passing on Abreu because we already had Rizzo; I will not be as understanding if we pass on him or prospects that may or may not play 3B and may or may not be successful once they get to the bigs.

Is he worth pursuing, really? Just because he wants to play doesn't make him a player. I'm asking because I haven't the slightest idea how his numbers translate to MLB numbers. He'll be 28 next year.

 

We really don't have any kind of history with Korean hitters being successful outside of Choo. With that said, when numbers start floating around we'll see if he's really a guy worth having.

 

Shin-Soo Choo isn't a fair comparison since he signed with the Mariners out of high school, a la Hak-Ju Lee, Dae-Eun Rhee and Jae-Hoon Ha. Hyun-Jin Ryu is the only player I can think of in recent years to have a run in the KBO before coming over to the MLB but he's a pitcher.

 

ETA: Looking it up, just realized Choo and Hee Seop Choi are the only hitters who are Korean natives who've played in the big leagues.

 

Yeah, I could only come up with the two of them and just assumed there were more. Huh.

 

So it's a 50/50 chance that this guy is good! THAT'S SCIENCE.

[treebird]

Good, if the Cubs sign him, I can break out my Cubs "Pro Choi" t-shirt

 

in 2003, i made myself a FREE HEE SEOP tshirt to protest his limited at bats. i had to stop wearing it because people on the street kept stopping me to ask about who this hee seop guy was and who was oppressing him, only to be deeply disappointed when i sheepishly replied that he was a baseball player that i wanted to see play more.