[Official] 'Korean 18-year-old pitcher' finally makes another leap to Major League! Signs official contract with Philadelphia, securing a $1.83 billion won signing bonus

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Chan-min (18, Gwangju Jeil High), a top right-handed prospect from Korean high school baseball, has officially signed with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB).

The Philadelphia team officially announced on the 24th (Korean time) that it had signed an international amateur free agent (PFA) with Park Chan-min, a right-handed prospect from Korea.

According to local media, Park Chan-min received a signing bonus of $1.205 million (approximately 1.83 billion won).

News of Park Chan-min's official contract with the Philadelphia Phillies was first reported through an exclusive StarNews report on the 19th ("Gwangju Jeil High's Park Chan-min boards a flight to the U.S. on the 19th! Contract with MLB's Philadelphia imminent... Official announcement expected as early as this weekend's home game").

A representative for Park Chan-min told StarNews, "Park Chan-min will undergo medical tests for two days on the 21st and 22nd after arriving in Philadelphia. He is scheduled to officially sign the contract as early as this weekend's home game against the Cleveland Guardians." Following this, the Philadelphia team secured a 3-0 victory over Cleveland, and the club made its official announcement.

MLB teams must sign players within a designated bonus pool when entering into international amateur contracts. Prior StarNews reporting revealed that the Philadelphia team secured the signing bonus for Park Chan-min by holding off on a contract with a right-handed pitcher from Taiwan.

In addition, the Philadelphia team traded two minor league players last month to acquire Park Chan-min. The club also invested $4 million in Francisco Lenteria, a Venezuelan outfielder, and subsequently awarded Park Chan-min the second-highest amount among international amateur players.

Park Chan-min is a right-handed pitcher with a large frame, standing 191 cm tall and weighing 94 kg. He mixes a fastball reaching speeds of up to 149 km/h with sliders, curves, and changeups.

Last year, he appeared in five games, recording two wins with no losses, an ERA of 1.13, 16 1/3 innings pitched, six walks, and 25 strikeouts. This year, he appeared in 12 games, posting six wins with no losses, an ERA of 1.37, 46 innings pitched, 12 walks and hit batters (seven walks and five hit batters), 65 strikeouts, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.65, while leading Gwangju Jeil High to the semifinals of the E-Mart Cup and the Golden Saja Cup.

Park Chan-min is considered a promising player with significant growth potential. His control is his greatest strength. Scout A from a KBO team said earlier this year, "Park Chan-min is one of the players who can compete with the Big Three. He showed impressive performances even in the winter league. Despite not being in peak condition, he threw fastballs at 145 km/h. His height gives him excellent run production and pitching trajectory. He has high growth potential. His sense of control is so good that he can work as either a starter or a reliever. Because of his sharp instincts, he effectively uses fastballs, sliders, and curves."

Another MLB scout, Scout B, also praised him, saying, "Park Chan-min has excellent physical attributes and high growth potential. He already throws up to 147 km/h. There is a high probability he will improve physically. His slider is his primary weapon, and his changeups and curves are also excellent. Since his control is solid, his game management skills are also outstanding."

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*This content was translated by AI.