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Notable former MLB players still playing in the KBO League

By Eric Treuden

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 18: KT Wiz players celebrate after winning the Korean Series Game 4 between Doosan Bears and KT Wiz at Gocheok Skydome on November 18, 2021 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 18: KT Wiz players celebrate after winning the Korean Series Game 4 between Doosan Bears and KT Wiz at Gocheok Skydome on November 18, 2021 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) /
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INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – APRIL 04: Outfilder Choo Shin-Soo #17 of SSG Landers reacts in the bottom of the fifth inning during the KBO League game between SSG Landers and Lotte Giants at SSG Landers Field on April 04, 2021 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – APRIL 04: Outfilder Choo Shin-Soo #17 of SSG Landers reacts in the bottom of the fifth inning during the KBO League game between SSG Landers and Lotte Giants at SSG Landers Field on April 04, 2021 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) /

The KBO consists of a total of 10 teams, including the Kia Tigers, Samsung Lions, Doosan Bears, SSG Landers, LG Twins, Lotte Giants, Hanwha Eagles, NC Dinos, KT Wiz, and Kiwoom Heroes. The KT Wiz were the season championships in 2021. Each team is only allowed three foreign players on their roster, only two of them are allowed to be pitchers. Since 2019, foreign players are only allowed to be compensated a maximum of $1 million per season.

In the 2021-2022 offseason, more players who were in Major League Baseball just last season have made the decision to head overseas where playing time is guaranteed and where a lockout is not currently going on. These players include Mike Tauchman, Yasiel Puig, Kevin Cron, Adam Plutko, Rio Ruiz, and Ivan Nova.

Starting pitcher David Buchanan (MLB career: 2014-2015 with the Philadelphia Phillies)

32-year-old David Buchanan has been overseas since the 2017 season. He played in the Japanese League from 2017-2019 and has been a member of the Samsung Lions since 2020. Buchanan has been dominant since coming over to Korea, going 31-12 with a 3.21 ERA in 56 starts for the Lions, striking out 280 and allowing home runs at just a 0.7 HR/9 rate.

Relief pitcher Seung-hwan Oh (MLB career: 2016-2019 with 3 MLB organizations)

Seung-hwan Oh, a native of South Korea, is 39 years old and is, in all respects, a KBO legend. He is the current KBO all-time leader in career saves, single season saves, and fewest games to reach 100 saves in the league’s history. He is currently teammates with Buchanan on the Lions, where he functioned as the team’s closer in 2020 and 2021. Last season, Oh put up a 1.92 ERA in 63 games, earning 44 saves and allowing just two home runs in 61 innings.

Starting pitcher Casey Kelly (MLB career: 2012, 2015-2016, 2018 with 3 MLB organizations)

Once a highly-touted prospect in the Padres’ system, Casey Kelly, 32, finds himself getting ready for his fourth consecutive season as a member of the LG Twins. Kelly has been unable to find success in American baseball, currently sporting a 2-11 record with a 5.46 ERA. During his three seasons in the KBO, Kelly is 42-26 with a 2.96 ERA in 86 starts, striking out 398 batters in 525+ innings.

Outfielder Hyun-soo Kim (MLB career: 2016-2017 with 2 MLB organizations)

Hyun-soo Kim, another native to South Korea, is another legend in the KBO. The long-time member of the Doosan Bears is currently getting ready for his fifth consecutive season with the LG Twins. Kim is a four-time KBO Gold Glove Award winner and a former KBO batting champion (in 2008) and Series champion (in 2015). Last season with the Twins, Kim played in 139 games for the team, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 96 while walking 75 times against just 42 strikeouts. On defense, he has seen time in center field before but he is limited to first base and the corner outfield at this stage in the game.

First baseman Jose Miguel Fernandez (MLB career: 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels)

After a hugely successful career in the Cuban National Series (or CNS) in which he struck out just 113 times in 2,580 plate appearances, Jose Miguel Fernandez had a very brief tenure in American baseball before hitting free agency and joining on with the Doosan Bears of the KBO. Since joining the KBO, Fernandez has hit .334 with 51 home runs and 184 walks against 131 strikeouts in 1,925 plate appearances and 428 games. While he was a versatile defender in the States, Fernandez has exclusively played first base since joining the KBO.

Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo (MLB career: 2005-2020 with 4 MLB organizations)

Shin-Soo Choo is by far the most successful player to make the list, having had a very strong career in American baseball with over 1,600 hits and 200 home runs. Choo, 39, elected to sign with the SSG Landers in the 2020-2021 offseason, likely putting an end to his playing days in Major League Baseball. Last season for the Landers, Choo played in 136 games and hit 21 home runs, stole 25 bases and walked 103 times while hitting for a .263 batting average.

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