Recap of All 37 Asians in 2016 MLB Spring Training and their status for opening day rosters

PLAYERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

(players who were star players in Asia and recently signed by a MLB team for the 2016 season.  These players are either trying to make the team or were given big contracts to perform well.)

Park Byung-ho, firstbaseman, Minnesota Twins — The two-time KBO MVP launched 52 homers in 2014 and 53 more in 2015, becoming the first KBO player to hit 50 or more long balls in back-to-back seasons. He led the league in that category in each of the past four seasons.  The 29-year-old has done his part at the plate in Spring Training, with a .259/.466 line and three home runs and 13 RBIs in 58 at-bats. He is tied for third on the Twins in home runs and second in RBIs.

Kim Hyun-soo, outfielder, Baltimore Orioles — he has struggled mightily at the plate in spring, with a .175 average and no extra-base hits in 45 at-bats.  Kim exercised a clause in his contract – rejected assignment to the minors.  He was on the opening day roster.

Lee Dae-ho, firstbaseman, Seattle Mariners — won the 2015 Japan Series MVP for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, after hitting 31 home runs in the regular season. The former KBO MVP didn’t exactly light things up in spring training — a home run and 7 RBIs to go with a .264/.396 line in 53 at-bats.  Lee did make the opening day roster for the Mariners as the backup first baseman.

Kenta Maeda, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — Is the big-name signee from Japan this season.  A Rookie of the Year candidate, he pitched 23 innings with 20 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA.  Should be a starting pitcher for the Dodgers as the 3rd or 4th ace.

Oh Seung-hwan, relief pitcher,  St. Louis Cardinals —  the KBO’s career saves leader with 277, who added 80 more in two NPB seasons, will step in as a setup man for All-Star closer Trevor Rosenthal. The stoic pitcher famous for keeping his cool under pressure, Oh has been solid in his new role. In 9 2/3 spring innings, Oh has allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk for a 1.86 ERA, while striking out four. Opponents are hitting .152 off the right-hander.

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OTHER PLAYERS

(players who are established stars or minor league players who were invited to spring training camp)

Lee Hak-Su, shortstop, SF Giants — batted .286 (4-for-14) with three RBIs and a steal in 13 spring appearances, but will have to start another season in the minors.   Lee, a graduate of Chungam High School in Seoul, hasn’t played a major league game since moving to the United States in 2009, when he signed with the Chicago Cubs. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2011, but the Rays designated the underachieving infielder for assignment last September. He elected free agency and signed with the Giants.  Once among the top-50 prospects rated by Baseball America, Lee has been held back by injuries throughout his minor league career.

 

Choi Ji-man, firstbaseman,  Los Angeles Angels — will return to the minors.  67 ABs, 2 HRs, .209 Avg

Kang Jung-ho, infielder, Pittsburgh Pirates — rehabbing from a broken leg and is expected to return to action after the start of the regular season.

Kang Kyeong Duk, leftfield, Atlanta Braves — will return to the minors.  6 ABs, 0 Hits

Tzu-Wei Lin, shortstop, Boston RedSox — will return to the minors. 4 ABs, 0 hits

Munenori Kawasaki, secondbase, Chicago Cubs — the fan favorite in Toronto, made the 40-man roster.  But will start the season in the minors.  had an impressive spring training.  49 ABs, 6 DBs, 1 HR, .367 Avg

Travis Ishikawa, firstbase, Chicago Whitesox — reassigned to minor league, but could be the first player back to the big club.  53 ABs, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, .264 Avg.

Ray Chang, shortshop, Cincinnati Reds — the long-time minor leaguer, didn’t get many chances in Spring Training but was impressive.  had 4 hits on 6 ABs with 3 Doubles.  .800 Avg, 1.400 Slugging Avg.

Luke Wakamatsu, shortstop, Cleveland Indians — had only one AB.  sent back to minors.

Yu-Chen Chang, shortstop, Cleveland Indians — 3 ABs, 1 Hit, Triple.  returned to minors.

Joey Wong, thirdbase, Colorado Rockies — 7 ABs, 2 hits, Triple, .222 Avg.  Sent back to minors.

Ichiro Suzuki, leftfield, Miami Marlins — the 42-year old, .184 Avg, 38 ABs.  Will be a backup outfielder.

Kurt Suzuki, catcher, Minnesota Twins — in competition for the starting catcher position had perhaps the best camp of any Asian player, .310 Avg, 4 HRs, in only 29 ABs.

Kyle Higashioka, catcher, New York Yankees — 4 Hits in only 7 ABs with a Homerun and a Double, .571 Avg.  Sent back to minors.

Danny Oh, outfielder, Oakland A’s — had one hit in 4 ABs. sent back to minors.

Norichika Aoki, leftfielder, Seattle Mariners — the starting leftfielder for his new team, Aoki hit .250 with 2 doubles in 60 ABs.

Tommy Pham, centerfielder, St. Louis Cardinals — 47 ABs, .277 Avg, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs.  But will start the season on the disable list with an injury

Kolton Wong, secondbase, St. Louis Cardinals — 46 ABs, .304 Avg, 4 Doubles.  will start the season.

Kean Wong, secondbase, Tampa Bay Rays — younger brother of Kolton Wong, had one hit in 4 ABs.  back to minors.

Hank Choi Conger, catcher, Tampa Bay Rays — 28 ABs, 1 HR, .143 Avg.

Shin Soo Choo, rightfielder, Texas Rangers — 38 ABs, 3 Doubles, 0 HR, .289 Avg.  Will start the season.

 

PITCHERS

Junichi Tazawa, pitcher, Boston Redsox — 5.1 Inn, 3.38 ERA, 5 SOs

Koji Uehara, pitcher, Boston Redsox — 3.2 Inn, 12.27 ERA.  starting closing pitcher.

Chien-Ming Wang, pitcher, Kansas City Royals — the former New York Yankees ace pitcher attempted to make a comeback.  Made the Royals opening day roster with a terrific spring training.  15.0 Inn, 2.40 ERA, 9 SOs

Zach Lee, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — 5.06 ERA, 16.0 Inn.

Chin-Hui Tsao, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — 2 Inn, 9.0 ERA.

Ryu Hyun-jin, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — rehabbing from injuries and is expected to return to action after the start of the regular season.

Wei Yin Chen, pitcher, Miami Marlins — 6.0 Inn, 6.0 ERA.

Wei Chung Wang, pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers — did not pitch much.  0.1 Inn, 0.00 ERA

Masahiro Tanaka, pitcher, New York Yankees — the ace pitcher.  11.0 Inn, 7.36 ERA, 9 SOs

Hisashi Iwakuma, pitcher, Seattle Mariners — the all-star pitcher.  12.0 Inn, 6.00 ERA, 7 SOs

Yu Darvish, pitcher, Texas Rangers — returning from tommy john surgery, did not pitch in spring training and will start the season on the disabled list.