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Not yet Major Leaguer, Park Byung-ho already listed as top rookie candidate

Not yet Major Leaguer, Park Byung-ho already listed as top rookie candidate

Posted November. 18, 2015 10:56,   

한국어

Nexen Heroes first baseman Park Byung-ho, who has yet to sign a Major League contract, has already been listed as the Rookie of the Year candidate for 2016.

A column titled "(Early) 2016 Rookie of the Year Candidates" on U.S. sports channel ESPN.com ranked Park, currently in contract talks with the Minnesota Twins, No. 2 on the list of candidates for the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year. No. 1 candidate is Texas Rangers` outfield prospect Lewis Brinson. It is uncertain, however, if Brinson will be recommended to play at Major League next year.

ESPN, which has projected Park as a primary designated hitter at the Minnesota Twins, explained Minnesota`s home ballpark Target Field offers benefit to right-handed hitters good at fly balls. It emphasized that Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Kang Jung-ho helped prevent others from looking down on Korean pro baseball players.

Having recorded 0.287 batting average, 15 home runs and 58 hits ahead of injury, Kang was ranked No. 3 at the National League rookie vote, but Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was named National League rookie of the year.



bom@donga.com