Pittsburgh Pirates: Jung Ho Kang on his last chance
In a bit of a surprise, the Pittsburgh Pirates will get Jung Ho Kang back in the coming weeks. This could be his last chance with the Pirates.
Heading into the season, it was obvious that the Pittsburgh Pirates had moved on from Jung Ho Kang. After all, he had missed the entire 2017 campaign when he was denied a work visa, unable to come stateside due to his third DUI in South Korea. Pittsburgh had acquired Colin Moran as part of the Gerrit Cole trade, plugging him in at third, where he had a chance to become the future at the position.
That is not to say that the Pirates had entirely written Kang off. After all, they had sent him an advanced pitching machine last year, designed to mimic the pitches of each pitcher in the majors. However, even with that investment, they had to accept reality, including the probability that Kang would not be able to continue his Pirates career.
Unlike last season, when the Pirates hoped Kang would be able to return, the unexpected happened. He has been granted a work visa, allowing him to return to the Pirates and continue his major league career. Yet, that does not mean he will be long for Pittsburgh, especially if there are any more incidents.
On his weekly radio show with @joe_block, Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Jung Ho Kang's second chance with the Pirates "is probably his last chance with us."
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) April 29, 2018
Huntington said it's not meant to be a threat but noted further off-the-field issues "are not going to go well for him."
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During his 2016 campaign, Kang was a solid part of the Pirates lineup. He posted a .255/.354/.513 batting line in 370 plate appearances, hitting a surprising 21 homers. His 129 OPS+ was the best of his time in the majors thus far, giving the Pirates hope that he would be the long term answer at third.
However, his pattern of adventurous behavior cropped up even then. He was investigated for sexual assault when a woman claimed that Kang accosted her at his hotel on June 17. Even though charges were not filed, the case was left unresolved. He also had two previous DUI incidents in Korea, leading to the harsh sentence he received for his third conviction – a two year suspended sentence. Those problem led to his visa being denied last season. It has also led to the very short leash he will have with the Pirates when he returns.
Even as Kang is closing in on a return to Pittsburgh, it is difficult to see how, exactly, he will fit into the lineup. Moran has been a solid addition to the lineup, producing a .288/.363/.425 batting line and seven extra base hits in 91 plate appearances. David Freese has backed up both corner infield positions, while Sean Rodriguez and Adam Frazier have been the Pirates utility players. Kang does not have a specific role, even as he approaches his return.
Jung Ho Kang is coming back for the Pittsburgh Pirates. One wrong move, however, will put his time to an end.