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Texas Rangers: Hyeon-jong Yang returning to Kia Tigers

By David Hill

Sep 10, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Hyeon-Jong Yang (36) pitches during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Hyeon-Jong Yang (36) pitches during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Hyeon-jong Yang was a gamble for the Texas Rangers. He has posted his worst season in the Korean Baseball Organization in 2020, but was still hoping to pursue his dream of pitching in the majors. The Rangers took a chance, signing Yang to a minor league deal for the 2021 season.

That contract did not work out for either side. After spending the year bouncing between the Rangers and Triple-A, while struggling at both levels, Yang is heading back home. According to reports, he has signed a four year deal to return to the Kia Tigers.

Former Texas Rangers pitcher Hyeon-jong Yang returning to Kia Tigers

Yang had been a solid pitcher in the KBO, posting a 3.83 ERA and a 1.377 WHiP in his 1986 innings, striking out 1673 batters with 795 walks. He was a two time winner of the Dong-won Choi award, the KBO version of the Cy Young, and was the league MVP in 2017. Yang had put together a storied career in South Korea.

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As solid of a career as Yang had put together, he was a question mark coming into 2021. He struggled during the 2020 KBO season, posting a 4.70 ERA and a 1.416 WHiP over his 172.1 innings. Both marks were the worst of his career since 2012 when he was shuttled between the rotation and bullpen.

Despite those questions, the Rangers took a chance that Yang could find himself once more. That did not prove to be the case, as he posted a 5.60 ERA and a 1.642 WHiP in 35.1 innings in Texas, striking out 25 batters with 16 walks while allowing nine homers. He was not much better at Triple-A, posting a 5.60 ERA with a 1.378 WHiP in 45 minor league innings, striking out 42 batters with ten walks while allowing ten homers.

Now Yang will try to re-establish himself in the KBO. He has gone back to the Tigers, hoping that he can find success in his previous stomping grounds. Yang is not going to be coming back stateside again, but he can burnish his legacy in South Korea with a strong showing over the life of this contract.

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Hyeon-jong Yang is heading back to the Korean Baseball Organization after signing with the Kia Tigers. His stint with the Texas Rangers did not work out for either side.

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