The Korean/Independent Leaguers

Three members of the 2017 Orioles have found their way overseas to the Korean Baseball Organization. For one of them, it’s a return home. Hyun Soo Kim, who spent 10 years in the KBO before a two-year stint in MLB from 2016-2017, is back in his native country after signing a four-year contract with the LG Twins.

Kim’s MLB adventure was a mixed bag. He led the Orioles in batting average (.302) and on-base percentage (.382) in 2016, but struggled to marks of .232/.305 in 2017 while playing shaky defense, then was mostly buried on the bench with the Philadelphia Phillies after the Orioles traded him in July. But he hasn’t missed a beat in his KBO comeback, batting .303 with a .391 OBP in 19 games for the Twins.

Kim is reunited with right-hander Tyler Wilson, who relocated to Korea after his unremarkable three-year Orioles’ career came to an end in 2017. In four starts for LG, Wilson has more than held his own in an offense-heavy league. He has a 1-2 record and 2.88 ERA in four starts, striking out 33 batters in 25 innings.

Elsewhere in the KBO, right-hander Logan Verrett, who popped his head up for four appearances for the Orioles in 2017, is now a member of the NC Dinos. Like Wilson, he’s made four starts so far. He’s 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA.

Back in the States, first baseman David Washington has latched on with the independent Long Island Ducks. Washington set a dubious mark last year by joining the “0-fer-Orioles” club; he was the 33rd position player in Baltimore history to never get a hit for the team (in fact, he struck out in five of his six at-bats). The Ducks’ 2018 season begins April 27.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9