Korea's starter in WBSC Premier12 2019 final Hyeon-jong Yang signs with MLB's Texas Rangers

Korea's starter in WBSC Premier12 2019 final Hyeon-jong Yang signs with MLB's Texas Rangers
15/02/2021
The left-hander signed a minor league deal and will have to earn a Rangers roster spot during Spring Training.

Left-handed pitcher Hyeon-jong Yang, who started the 2019 WBSC Premier12 championship game for the Korean National Baseball Team, has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

His contract's minor league status means that he will need to work his way onto the 26-man MLB roster during Spring Training.

You may also be interested in:
- Kim Ha-seong to MLB's San Diego Padres
- Sung Bum-na willing to transfer to MLB
- Carlos Subero to become first KBO foreign manager
- Doosan Bears win KBO 2020 title
- Chung Ji-taik new KBO Commissioner

The Rangers previously bid for Yang in 2014. The bids were rejected and the southpaw returned to Korea.

The 32-year-old started three games for Korea at the WBSC Premier12 2019. He posted a 2-1 record and had a 3.07 earned run average over 14.2 innings of work. He allowed 15 hits and 5 walks while striking out 21.

In Korea, Yang spent his whole professional career (2007-2020) with the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO, WBSC Associate Member). He appeared in 425 games, starting 324. He posted a 3.83 earned run average and a 147-95 win-loss record. He pitched 1,986 innings, allowing 1,940 hits and 795 walks, while striking out 1,673.