Seoul: Choi Ji-man, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player now competing in the South Korean minor league, will participate in a pre-draft workout for the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), marking a significant step towards his anticipated entry into next month's draft.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ulsan Whales of the Futures League, which serves as a feeder for the KBO, announced that Choi will display his abilities in front of scouts during the KBO pre-draft tryout scheduled for Tuesday. This tryout provides an avenue for players not currently affiliated with high school or university teams to impress KBO scouts and bolster their draft prospects. It is specifically designed for individuals who have played professional or amateur baseball abroad without prior KBO participation, those who left South Korean high school or university teams, and players with experience in at least one game for a Futures League or KBO-recognized independent team.
Choi, who began his professional journey by signing with the Seattle Mariners straight out of high school in 2009 and debuted in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016, qualifies under the first category. His potential inclusion in this year's KBO draft, slated for September 21, has sparked considerable discussion since his April signing with the Whales, largely due to his MLB tenure.
During his MLB career, Choi appeared in 525 games across six teams, amassing 67 home runs and 238 RBIs. Notably, in 2020, he became the first South Korean position player to participate in a World Series while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Despite being a focal point, Choi has expressed his desire for the spotlight to be on teenage prospects emerging from high schools, insisting they deserve the main attention during the draft. Nevertheless, at 35 and with a history of recent injuries, Choi is still viewed as a valuable asset who can contribute significantly to a KBO team. In his 20 games with the Whales, he has achieved a .308 batting average, with one home run, seven RBIs, and an on-base plus slugging percentage of .847.
Whales manager Jang Won-jin commented, "Choi Ji-man has been playing on a consistent basis for us with his sights set on reaching the KBO. I hope he will lean on his experience to demonstrate his strengths in the tryout. We wish him all the success."