Hee Seop Choi
From SoSH
| Born: | March 16, 1979 |
| Birthplace: | Chun-Nam, Korea |
| Hometown: | Gwangju, South Korea |
| Height: | 6' 5" |
| Weight: | 235 lbs. |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Left |
| Drafted: | 1999: Amateur Free Agent by the Chicago Cubs |
| College: | Korea University |
| High School: | Kwang-Ju (Korea) |
| Other Teams: | Chicago Cubs 2002-03 Florida Marlins 2004 Los Angeles Dodgers 2004-05 |
| Years with Boston: | 2006 (Minors Only) |
Hee Seop Choi (born March 16, 1979 in Chun-Nam, South Korea) is a first baseman currently playing for the Kia Tigers of the Korean professional league. He has consistently been a subject of debate among fans of the organizations for which he has played and opinions on his worth and future value vary widely.
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Career Overview
Choi was signed by the Chicago Cubs on March 4, 1999 as an international free agent out of South Korea. In the first two years of his career, he put up monstrous numbers between the Midwest (A), Florida State (A+) and Southern (AA) Leagues. He had a difficult year at Triple-A in 2001, but bounced back and had a good season in the same league the following year at age 23, although he struggled in a short major league trial. The following year he spent more time in the majors, putting up pedestrian numbers, fueled by a very low batting average. The following offseason, he was traded to the Florida Marlins with Mike Nannini for Derrek Lee. In 2004, he put up a solid half-season for the Marlins before being included in the Brad Penny trade to the Dodgers, putting up a miserable second half in LA. Returning to mediocrity in limited playing time in 2005, he was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox on March 24, 2006, as it was clear that he was not going to make the Dodgers.
Choi started 2006 on the major league disabled list before being optioned to the minors. After a hot start, he cooled down considerably, ending the year hitting 207/.347/.361 with 8 home runs and 27 RBI in 66 games at Pawtucket.
On December 1, 2006, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed Choi to a minor league contract, with an invitation to Spring Training. Failing to earn a spot on the Rays 40-man roster, Choi returned to Korea, and later signed with the Kia Tigers of the Korean professional league on May 14, 2007.
Scouting Report
From Sox Prospects: "Large lefty first baseman with excellent plate discipline and a lot of power. Struggles with curveballs and inside and tight fastballs. Decent mobility, but not much of a base stealing threat. Above average in the field at first base."
Awards
- 2003 National League Rookie of the Month (April 2003)
Trivia
- First Korean-born position player to play in a Major League game
- First Major League player of Asian descent to hit three home runs in one game
Transactions
- March 4, 1999: Signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent.
- November 25, 2003: Traded by the Chicago Cubs with Mike Nannini (minors) to the Florida Marlins for Derrek Lee.
- July 30, 2004: Traded by the Florida Marlins with Bill Murphy (minors) and Brad Penny to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Paul Lo Duca, Guillermo Mota, and Juan Encarnacion.
- March 24, 2006: Selected off waivers by the Boston Red Sox from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- December 1, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
External Links
- Hee-Seop Choi - Minor League Information Courtesy of Sox Prospects
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
