South Korean Slugger Park Byung Ho Ranks 10th On ESPN's 2016 Breakout Hitters List
South Korean slugger and Nexen Heroes first baseman Park Byung Ho was ranked 10th in ESPN's 2016 Breakout Hitters List, reports revealed Tuesday. Park, who is set make his debut in the Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Minnesota Tigers this year, was the only rookie to make it to the list.
A column on ESPN.com also ranked Park second in the list of nominees for the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Honor, while the renowned Texas Rangers' outfield prospect Lewis Brinson made it to the top.
As reported by Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) posted Park on Nov. 2, after which he drew a bid of $US12.85 million from the Minnesota Twins in a major league silent auction. The Minnesota Twins reported earned a 30-day window to discuss terms of its contract with Park. Baseball fans will most likely hear finality of Park status with the club around Jan. 8.
Park first gained recognition at the 38th President's Cup National High School Baseball Championship when he played for his hgh school.
He is fresh from his second straight 50-homer season in the KBO, where he set career-high records with 53 home runs and 146 RBIs.
"After seeing what [Kang Jung-ho] did with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year (delivering an .816 OPS), it's hard not to expect similarly big things from a guy who hit 52 and 53 homers in the past two years respectively for Nexen," ESPN said. "Between Park and Byron Buxton, the Twins should have a tandem with the talent between them to take home the AL's Rookie of the Year award in 2016."
Park is currently playing for the South Korean national team at the Premier 12 tournament.
