RHP Jaime Barria to Sign With Hanwha Eagles
Right-handed pitcher Jaime Barria will sign a contract to play with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO, reports MLB Trade Rumors. Barria, of Panamanian descent, played on a minor league contract in the Cleveland Guardians’ organization with Triple-A Columbus to start the 2024 season.
The 27-year-old made 134 appearances with the Los Angeles Angels from 2018-23, making 62 starts. Barria experienced mixed results as a starting pitcher and worked in a long relief role for the Angels in 2022. He posted a career-low 2.61 ERA and made just six starts the following season.
Despite his transition to the bullpen, Barria will likely be a critical factor in the Eagles’ starting rotation.
Jonathan Schoop to KBO?
According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan on X, former Major League Baseball second baseman Jonathan Schoop seeks a contract in either Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan or the KBO.
Schoop played 55 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2023, hitting .213 with a deuce egg in the home run column. He plays for the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of Liga Mexicana de Béisbol and has a .802 OPS in 33 games.
Schoop was born in Willemstad, Curacao, and was one of the veterans on the Curacao team that finished in fourth place at the 2024 Caribbean Series in Miami, Florida.
Hanwha Eagles Manager Choi Won-ho Resigns
On Monday, the Hanwha Eagles announced that manager Choi Won-ho had resigned from his position as manager, and according to Yonhap News Agency, CEO Park Chan-hyuk also stepped down.
The Eagles won seven of their first eight games of the season but are in the bottom half of the KBO standings thus far. Even the starting pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu’s return from MLB has yet to accelerate Hanwha to winning ways. As of Monday, the club was 21-29-1.
Yonhap News Agency reports bench coach Chung Kyoung-bae will serve as the interim manager until a new candidate is hired.
This Day in Korean Baseball History
On May 27, 2014, former Los Angeles Dodgers South Korean starting pitcher Chan Ho Park threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu before a game at Dodger Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds.
Park was the first South Korean-born player in MLB history and the first player from South Korea to be named an MLB All-Star in 2001 with the Dodgers.
He finished his 17-year MLB career with a 4.36 ERA in 476 appearances. Park played the final two seasons of his professional baseball career with the Orix Buffaloes of NPB in 2011 and the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO in 2012.
KBO Standings as of Monday, May 27
- KIA Tigers (31-20-1)
- Doosan Bears (30-23-2)
- LG Twins (29-23-2)
- Samsung Lions (28-23-1)
- NC Dinos (27-24-1)
- SSG Landers (25-26–1)
- KT Wiz (23-28-1)
- Hanwha Eagles (21-29-1)
- Lotte Giants (20-28-2)
- Kiwoom Heroes (20-30-0)
