Dodgers Officially Sign International Outfielder

Apr 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A hat and glove of an Los Angeles Dodgers player durng a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports | John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed 17-year-old Taiwanese outfielder Ko Ching-Hsien.

The deal was reported last Monday but was finally made official on Sunday.

Official ⬇️ https://t.co/RrgJP1luTf

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 17, 2024

SIGNED! 17-year-old Taiwanese outfielder 柯敬賢 (Ko Ching-Hsien) is now officially a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers!

According to the local media, the Dodgers signed Ko Ching-Hsien for 750,000 USD. #MLBTW #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/mR14Wlf6CU

— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) June 17, 2024

The Dodgers have made a substantial investment in the future, adding the promising young international prospect to their roster with a significant $750,000 deal. This move has left the Dodgers with a remaining $2.3 million in their international pool money.

Taiwanese OF Ko Ching-Hsien (17) officially signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bonus deal $750,000 bonus.

The Dodgers have about 2.3 M of budget in the current international period

Hsien is an athletic and multi-tools outfielder who shined at the last World U-18 with .550… pic.twitter.com/IOziZ0ZFZ0

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) June 17, 2024

The left-handed hitter was among the best players in his country and competed in the U-18 Baseball World Cup for Chinese-Taipei. Ching-Hsien was a monster in that tournament, hitting .550, with a .690 on-base percentage and a whopping 1.440 OPS. His performance helped earn his country the silver medal in the competition. This could be a massive grab for the Dodgers in the long run, as they have a chance to develop him into a strong major leaguer.

Ching-Hsien is the 10th Taiwanese player to join the Dodger organization and the second to join the major leagues this season alone. His cousin, Lin Wei-en, signed with the Oakland A's earlier this month.

The ceiling is high for the 17-year-old, and if all pans out for him, the Dodgers could have themselves a steal. Ching-Hsien said he's always dreamed of playing for the Dodgers and received a surprise welcome from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a pre-recorded video.