Nuggets from NPB and KBO

[clancyphile]

One thought for where the Brewers might find upgrades at shortstop is either Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korean Baseball Organization.

 

In putting together my proposed off-season plan, I had the Brewers pick up a pair of shortstops - one from each league.

 

SS Eigoro Mogi from the Japan Pacific League was one of them.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mogi--000eig

 

He bats left-handed, will be 25 in 2020, and has posted over his career a .277/.348/.419 slash line over his four years, averaging 21 doubles and 11 homers over that time frame, along with 46 walks. All in all, looks to be a decent, steady upgrade over Orlando Arcia at the plate. What we're seeing in the stat line is likely what the Crew would get.

 

The other choice is SS Ha-Seong Kim, from Nexem for his first five years, then Kiwoom in the Korean Baseball Organization.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kim---001ha-

 

He bats right-handed, will be 24, and has a career slash line of .292/.368/.487. He's averaged roughly 28 doubles, 17 homers, and 18.5 steals over his six years. He's drawn an average of 51 walks a season. This is a more dynamic bat, and with what seems to be a much better package of OBP skills. In addition, he could be an option to plat third base a little, giving Moustakas a break. He also will have a bit more upside, as he is 24.

 

If the Brewers wanted a young arm for the rotaiton, Chang-mo Koo of the NC Lions in KBO might be an option:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=koo---000cha

 

He seemed to put it together in 2019 after three years of being roughed up a bit. Might need some time in AAA, but he could be intriguing, especially when compared to Small and Ashby. He's 22, and may be worth looking at after 2020, especially if he duplicates his 2019 success.

[long ball]

Are these guys free agents? Are they going to be posted? The only notable guy i've seen an announcement for is the outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo from Japan.

[clancyphile]

Are these guys free agents? Are they going to be posted? The only notable guy i've seen an announcement for is the outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo from Japan.

 

Kim's played six years, he may be a free agent. Don't know about Mogi's status. But the Crew should be able to work something out for Kim at the very least.

[clancyphile]

Looking over Tsutsugo, he might be an interesting addition. Plays outfield as well as third and first. Might be gettable on a Thames-like deal. Same kind of bat, better offense.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tsutsu000yos

[Eye Black]

One player that was originally supposed to be making the move to MLB for the 2020 season was KBO outfielder and left-handed batter Sung-Bum Na (also known as Seong-Beom Na). He suffered a gruesome leg injury back in May and I haven’t heard much of an update regarding whether or not that officially derailed his plans to come stateside. Anyone have more information on him or his situation?

[Eye Black]

One intriguing bullpen option would be LHRP Edwin Escobar who excelled in 75.1 innings in the NPB this season.

 

MLB Trade Rumors took a look at both leagues and went through how former MLB players fared this season. Familiar names include Zelous Wheeler, Taylor Jungmann, Christian Bethancourt, and who knew Kosuke Fukudome was still going at age 42. The links to each article is below.

 

 

Former Big Leaguers Playing Abroad: NPB Hitters Roundup

 

Former Big Leaguers Playing Abroad: NPB Pitchers Roundup

 

Former Big Leaguers Playing Abroad: KBO Hitter Roundup

 

Former Big Leaguers Playing Abroad: KBO Pitcher Roundup