Former Colorado Rockies reliever Seunghwan Oh is heading back to where it all began.
One of the most decorated relievers in the history of the Korean Baseball Organization, Seunghwan Oh has had a roller coaster major league career. Oh had moments of success with the Cardinals and Blue Jays, and had a strong end to his 2018 season with the Colorado Rockies. However, that has not been the case this season, as Oh and seemingly the entire Rockies pitching staff has been hit with the regression stick.
Oh was released last month as he needed season ending elbow surgery, leaving his future in doubt. However, the former KBO star is heading back to his homeland, signing with the Samsung Lions for the rest of the season.
Former #Rockies RHP Seunghwan Oh has rejoined his ex-KBO club, Samsung Lions. 1 yr, approx. $490K in USD. Must first serve 72-game suspension following gambling conviction in Korea. 42 this year, 30 next year. Will undergo elbow surgery soon and should be ready by early May '20
— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) August 6, 2019
This contract is essentially a formality. Oh is due to serve a 72 game suspension in the KBO due to his gambling conviction in Korea. That suspension will be split amongst this season and next, as there are just 42 games left in the season. Of course, Oh is not expected to be healthy and ready to pitch until May 2020, by which time his suspension will have largely run its course.
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Oh had a fairly disastrous final season in Colorado. Over his 18.1 innings, he posted a 9.33 ERA and a 1.909 WHiP. While his 16 strikeouts against just six walks were solid, Oh also allowed 29 hits and six homers.
Although what may be his final year in Colorado was not what anyone would have wanted, Oh was a solid reliever during his time in the majors. He posted a 3.31 ERA and a 1.152 WHiP, striking out 252 batters with 56 walks in his 225.2 innings. While he notched just 42 major league saves, Oh was an excellent setup man, showing flashes of the force he was in his youth.
Next season, he will have a chance to build on his impressive legacy. The all time saves leader in Korea, he earned the excellent nicknames of Stone Buddha and Final Boss due to his utter dominance. Oh may not be that pitcher any longer, but he may still deliver results with his current, and former, team.
Former Colorado Rockies pitcher Seunghwan Oh is going home once again, ready to return to the mound in Korea and dominate in the late innings once more.