Hyeon-jong Yang reportedly looking to come stateside
Former Korean Baseball Organization MVP Hyeon-jong Yang is reportedly looking to come stateside and ply his trade in the majors.
Back in the 2014-15 offseason, Hyeon-jong Yang was eyeing a move stateside. He had been posted by the Kia Tigers under the old system, but pulled back when the organization was not satisfied with the winning bid. Yang was forced to delay his major league dreams.
But now, Yang is a free agent. This time, he is expected to seek out a contract stateside, looking to make his major league dreams a reality.
More on #KBO posting: Kia Tigers LHP Yang Hyeon-jong is another player who will knock on the big league door. He is a free agent and won't need to go through posting. He was posted back in 2014 but couldn't come to an agreement with the mysterious team then (Rangers? Twins?)
— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) October 13, 2020
Yang did not exactly have a strong 2020 campaign. In his 148.2 innings, he posted a 4.66 ERA and a 1.406 WHiP, striking out 133 batters with 57 walks. Those marks were his worst since a rough 2012 campaign that saw Yang only make five starts as he spent most of the year pitching in relief.
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It may also be fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank. Yang has spent 14 years in the KBO, throwing 1962.1 innings in that time. He will also turn 33 years old before the start of the 2021 season, and is just past his hypothetical prime.
However, Yang is not a pitcher who had relied upon elite velocity, instead using his four pitch mix and excellent command to get the opposition out. His fastball only sits in the upper 80s to low 90s, but he picks his spots well with the pitch. That command also allow his curve, change, and slider to play up, making him one of the more decorated pitchers in KBO history.
One does have to wonder how his arsenal will play in the majors. He would need to rely upon that command even more, as his pitchers could all be considered average at best. At best, Yang may be a back of the rotation starter, someone who can eat innings, but could be prone to the occasional blowup.
Chances are, Yang will not see a large contract. Even had he produced a typically strong season, the number of innings on his arm, age, and average arsenal would not attract significant offers. It is also possible that Yang remains in Korea if he does not receive the type of offer he is hoping for.
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Hyeon-jong Yang is looking to come stateside. The Korean Baseball Organization star may not find the same success, or the type of contract, he would expect.