Dodgers News: New Prospect Hyun-Seok Jang Wants to Follow in Footsteps of Chan Ho Park, Hyun-Jin Ryu
The Dodgers have had a history of developing some amazing Korean talent in the past.
Some names like Chan Ho Park and Hyun-Jin Ryu ring a bell, but even now, the Dodgers have Hyun-il Choi — who is on his way up through the minor leagues — that just proves they love to develop young Korean talent to the best of their abilities.
The next name in the line of great Korean pitching might very well be Hyun-Seok Jang. Well, as long as his wishes come true.
A 19-year-old that can already touch 97 with his fastball is a very rare sight to see, and the fact that he was widely regarded as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the KBO draft but decided to sign with the Dodgers speaks highly of the organization.
What's even more shocking is that the Dodgers signed him for under $1 million (his deal has a $900k signing bonus).
Jang's stats in his last year of high school definitely jump off the page at you. He struck out 49 over just 27.1 innings pitched and his ERA was below 1 at 0.33. I think the Dodgers got a steal in him.
The main question is what level will the Dodgers start him out at?
Will he join Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, High-A Great Lakes or even the very outside shot that he joins Double-A Tulsa?
If they want to pair him with his fellow Korean in Choi, he'd start out in High-A Great Lakes, which doesn't seem impossible, especially for someone who can touch 97.
As far as the first look at him in a Dodgers uniform, though, he definitely looks comfortable!
We'll see how he develops, but if his professional career is anything like him amateur one, we're in for a treat once he makes it to LA.
