Hee-Seop Choi
Born: 3/16/1979 in Hwasun, South Jeolla, South Korea
MLB Debut: 2002-09-03 | Final Game: 2005-10-02
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'5" | Weight: 235 lbs
Biography
Hee-Seop Choi, born in 1979, was a South Korean professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2002 to 2005. Choi was primarily known as a position player, and over the course of his career, he played in 363 games. He accumulated 220 hits, hit 40 home runs, and drove in 120 runs, finishing his career with a batting average of .240. Known for his power at the plate, Choi's ability to hit home runs made him a notable figure during the early 2000s, a period characterized by a significant offensive surge in baseball.
Choi's journey to the major leagues began in South Korea, where he showcased his talent before making the leap to the MLB. His impact was felt in the league during a time of increasing globalization in baseball, as more international players began to take center stage. Although his MLB career was relatively brief, he earned recognition for being named Rookie of the Month during his debut season. Hee-Seop Choi's contributions to baseball not only highlighted his skills but also paved the way for future generations of South Korean players in the league.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 363 | 915 | 130 | 220 | 54 | 3 | 40 | 120 | 3 | 141 | 262 | 0.240 | 0.349 | 0.437 | 0.786 | 1028.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | CHC | NL | 24 | 50 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 0.180 | -161.6 |
| 2003 | CHC | NL | 80 | 202 | 31 | 44 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 28 | 1 | 37 | 71 | 0.218 | 167.1 |
| 2004 | MIA | NL | 95 | 281 | 48 | 76 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 40 | 1 | 52 | 78 | 0.270 | 1002.3 |
| 2004 | LAD | NL | 31 | 62 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 18 | 0.161 | 1002.3 |
| 2005 | LAD | NL | 133 | 320 | 40 | 81 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 42 | 1 | 34 | 80 | 0.253 | 356.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | NLDS1 | LAN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 286 | 243 | 2208 | 161 | 18 | 199 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | CHN | 1B | 22 | 12 | 106 | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| 2003 | CHN | 1B | 69 | 55 | 523 | 40 | 5 | 46 |
| 2004 | FLO | 1B | 89 | 79 | 720 | 41 | 8 | 59 |
| 2004 | LAN | 1B | 23 | 19 | 161 | 10 | 1 | 19 |
| 2005 | LAN | 1B | 83 | 78 | 698 | 62 | 2 | 59 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 286 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Rookie of the Month | April |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | BOS | AL | $725,000 |
| 2005 | LAN | NL | $351,500 |
| 2004 | FLO | NL | $310,000 |
| 2003 | CHN | NL | $305,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,691,500 | ||