S. Korean infielder Bae Ji-hwan makes MLB debut with Pirates
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Sept. 24 (Yonhap) -- Five years to date after signing his first U.S. contract, South Korean infielder Bae Ji-hwan has reached the majors.
Bae batted 1-for-3 with a walk and two steals for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their 6-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday (local time).
Bae, who played second base and batted ninth, is the 26th South Korean to appear in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. He'd earned his promotion from the minors in time for the home game.
Bae first signed with the Atlanta Braves in September 2017 out of high school, but the deal was later voided by MLB due to the Braves' signing violations. The Pirates acquired him the following year.
The 23-year-old reached Triple-A this season, batting .289/.362/.430 with eight home runs and 53 RBIs in 108 games. He'd been teammates with another South Korean infielder, Park Hoy-jun, who has had a cup of coffee with the Pirates but has spent the majority of the season in Triple-A.
Bae walked in his first trip to the plate in the second inning and stole second base. He popped out to third base in the fourth and grounded out to second in the sixth, before getting his first major league hit with a single to center.
Bae stole second and moved to third after a couple of walks by his teammates, though he was left stranded as the tying run.
In 2019, Bae was suspended for 30 games while with the Pirates' High-A affiliate for violating Minor League Baseball Player Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. This stemmed from an incident on New Year's Eve in 2017, when Bae, then 18, allegedly assaulted his then girlfriend. Bae was later convicted of assault in the southeastern city of Daegu, though he was only fined 2 million won (US$1,405) without having to serve any jail time.
The Pirates have since supported Bae, saying he has completed a treatment program under the big league policy and he has matured over the years.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen'
-
N. Korea calls on party propaganda officials to work harder
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
S. Korea eliminated in Olympic football qualifiers as poor defense, undisciplined play prove costly
-
Indonesia coach left with mixed feelings after eliminating native S. Korea in Olympic football qualifiers
-
(LEAD) 10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
ADOR CEO calls conflict with Hybe 'worst experience of my life'