The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed infielder Jung Ho Kang (pronounced “GAHNG”) to a four-year deal with a club option for the 2019 season. The announcement was made by Pirates Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
The 27-year-old Kang hit .356 (149-for-418) with 36 doubles, 40 home runs and 117 RBI in 117 games with the Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2014. He led the league in slugging percentage (.739) and OPS (1.198) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.459), home runs and total bases (309).
“First I want to thank the Nexen Heroes for allowing me the challenge of competing at a Major League level,” said Kang. “I’m very excited and humbled by this opportunity. I look forward to joining a great group of teammates and I am ready to work hard to help the Pirates win any way that I can.”
Kang made all 113 defensive appearances at shortstop in 2014 while setting league records with his home run and RBI totals at that position.
-from Pirates PR Staff