Lee Chansol, a promising pitcher from Seoul High School who throws up to 154km/h, has signed with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He has travelled to the United States for a medical test and is expected to make an official announcement soon.
The Boston Red Sox announced on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, on the 25th (Korean time) that they have signed free agent RHP Chansol Lee to a minor league contract.
Lee’s signing was announced in conjunction with Boston’s rookie signings, and is currently undergoing medical testing, pending a final official announcement. An official from Lee’s side said, “He recently signed a contract with Boston. Lee has travelled to the United States for a medical check, and if there are no major abnormalities, the official result will be announced within a week.”
Earlier, MK Sports reported on the 24th that “Lee Chansol, a right-handed pitcher from Seoul High School who is highly likely to be selected in the first round of the 2024 amateur draft, recently received an official offer from the Boston Red Sox, a prestigious Major League Baseball team.” The pitcher, who had been considering a move to the United States, quickly finalised the deal.
Lee, who had been considering a move to the United States, wasted no time in finalising his deal with the Red Sox.
The exact size of the deal is not known, but it is believed to be substantial, including a signing bonus and other options and club contingencies, given that the size of international free agency is significantly smaller than in the past.
In particular, thanks to the negotiations between Major League Baseball and the union, the minor leagues are no longer the same size as they were in the past, but the environment has improved significantly, making it easier to live and grow. As a result, players don’t have to spend as much money on living and training expenses as in the past, which is an advantage.
Along with this environment, Boston reportedly won Lee’s heart by offering a vision of growth through a top-notch farm system and a quick path to the big leagues.
Lee’s profile on Major League Baseball’s official website lists him as a pitcher for Utuuta, with a height of 6.1 feet (ft)=185.9 cm and a weight of 195 pounds (lb)=88.4 kg. This is a profile that has been updated to reflect his current physical condition.
An official familiar with the situation said, “We know that the Boston side is very appreciative of Lee’s future growth potential in terms of his imposing physique, competitive pitching form and mechanics, and his healthy mindset and work ethic.” “However, from the KBO League’s point of view, Lee’s future growth potential is very high,” the official said.바카라사이트
However, from the KBO’s point of view, it was a disappointment. Lee was considered the best right-handed fireballer in baseball this season after Jang Hyun-seok (Masan Yongmago), the biggest name in the game. In particular, he attracted a lot of attention when he threw a 154km fastball at the 77th Golden Lion National High School Baseball Tournament and Weekend League Wangjoongwang in May this year.
If Lee had entered the draft, several teams in the Seoul metropolitan area were planning to select him with the top pick in the first round. However, Lee’s signing with Boston has forced them to completely revise their draft strategy.