Park Hyo-Joon to remain in U.S. after Atlanta release - a domestic U-turn

Two-year grace period to return home

Hyo-jun Park, 27, who played for the Gwinnett Strippers, a minor league Triple-A team affiliated with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB) this year, has been released by the team and will become a free agent (FA).

The Gwinnett Strikers announced on their official website on July 7 (KST) that 20 players, including shortstop Park, have become free agents.

As a free agent, Park faced a crossroads. He has to decide whether to stay in the United States and continue to challenge himself or turn to Korea.

If he chooses to return to Korea, he will have to go through a two-year grace period.

The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) has made a rule in the past to prevent a brain drain, stating that players who go directly to a foreign league without going through the rookie draft are not allowed to sign with a domestic team for two years after the end of their contract with a foreign team.

Park has yet to resolve his military obligation. He could try to play in the KBO after completing his military service.

Park broke into the MLB in July 2014 when he signed with the New York Yankees for $1.16 million while still a student at Yatap Go.

As he progressed through the minor leagues, Park pursued his big league dreams, and on July 17, 2021, he made his MLB debut for the Yankees. He became the 25th Korean major leaguer in history.

However, after just one at-bat, he was sent back to the minors and traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates a few days later. Park appeared in 44 games, batting .197 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

Park made the opening day roster last season, but was unable to crack the starting lineup. He bounced between the big leagues and the minors, hitting just .216 with two home runs and six RBIs in 23 games.

Designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after the 2022 season, Park joined the Boston Red Sox via trade, but was designated for assignment again.

He was then traded to Atlanta, but was designated for assignment again and had to accept a minor league contract.

Park didn't play in the MLB this year, but he did play in the minors, batting .262 with six home runs, 42 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 101 games. 카지노사이트