Jung Ho Kang
Born: 4/5/1987 in Gwangju, Gwangju, South Korea
MLB Debut: 2015-04-08 | Final Game: 2019-07-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 210 lbs
Biography
Jung Ho Kang was a South Korean professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a position player from 2015 to 2019. Born in 1987, Kang transitioned to MLB after a successful career in the KBO League, where he gained recognition for his power-hitting and versatility on the field. He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he showcased his skills in a competitive environment that included a mix of established veterans and emerging talents.
Throughout his MLB career, Kang appeared in 297 games, accumulating 233 hits and hitting 46 home runs, while driving in 144 RBIs with a batting average of .254. His ability to hit for power was particularly noteworthy during a time when offensive production was highly sought after in the league. Additionally, he demonstrated speed on the bases with 8 stolen bases. Kang's contributions were recognized during his rookie season, as he earned the Rookie of the Month award, further solidifying his status as a promising talent in the league. His journey from the KBO to MLB was significant, reflecting the growing impact of international players in baseball during the 21st century.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 297 | 917 | 120 | 233 | 50 | 3 | 46 | 144 | 8 | 75 | 239 | 0.254 | 0.331 | 0.466 | 0.796 | 1645.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | PIT | NL | 126 | 421 | 60 | 121 | 24 | 2 | 15 | 58 | 5 | 28 | 99 | 0.287 | 1174.1 |
| 2016 | PIT | NL | 103 | 318 | 45 | 81 | 19 | 0 | 21 | 62 | 3 | 36 | 79 | 0.255 | 1136.2 |
| 2018 | PIT | NL | 3 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
| 2019 | PIT | NL | 65 | 172 | 15 | 29 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 24 | 0 | 11 | 60 | 0.169 | -665.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 214 | 167 | 100 | 391 | 29 | 40 |
| SS | 75 | 59 | 90 | 170 | 11 | 44 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | PIT | 3B | 77 | 54 | 30 | 139 | 5 | 11 |
| 2015 | PIT | SS | 60 | 49 | 74 | 146 | 9 | 40 |
| 2016 | PIT | 3B | 92 | 83 | 49 | 191 | 17 | 20 |
| 2018 | PIT | 3B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | PIT | 3B | 44 | 29 | 20 | 60 | 7 | 9 |
| 2019 | PIT | SS | 15 | 10 | 16 | 24 | 2 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 214 |
| Shortstop | 75 |
| Designated Hitter | 1 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Player of the Week | Week of 2016-09-10 |
| 2015 | Rookie of the Month | July |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | PIT | NL | $2,500,000 |
| 2015 | PIT | NL | $2,500,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $5,000,000 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Rookie of the Year | NL | 3rd | 28.0 | 150 | 0 |