Noh Si-hwan of the Hanwha Eagles is making headlines as he seeks to enter Major League Baseball (MLB), turning his back on a record contract in the KBO League. Local media are highlighting his power-hitting ability while also noting concerns about his strikeout rate.
In February, Noh signed a multi-year contract worth 3.07 billion won (approximately $2.3 million) with the Hanwha Eagles. The contract includes a clause allowing him to pursue an MLB opportunity after this season. On October 31, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) officially requested Noh's posting to MLB.
All 30 MLB teams can negotiate with Noh from 8 AM the day after the posting notice until 5 PM on the 30th day (Eastern Time). If a deal is reached, the signing team will pay a transfer fee to Hanwha, nullifying Noh's 11-year contract. If no agreement is made by the deadline, Noh will remain with Hanwha and begin his contract in the 2027 season.
Noh's agency, UA Company, stated, "We applied for posting to pursue a long-held dream of entering Major League Baseball. As a young player, this is a valuable opportunity, and we aim to approach this challenge with humility and seriousness. Competing in MLB has been a long-term goal for Noh, and he wishes to learn and grow as a player in a new environment. We are grateful for this chance and will prepare calmly."
Local media have pointed out Noh's proven power-hitting and the current scarcity of third basemen in the MLB free-agent market as positive factors for his prospects.
MLB Trade Rumors noted that Noh's value could vary based on evaluations of his defensive skills at third base. The outlet mentioned, "Noh has played as a full-time third baseman for Hanwha over the past four seasons, but he has also played first base in the past and during the World Baseball Classic (WBC). If MLB evaluators believe he can at least provide adequate defense at third base, his value will increase in this free-agent market, which is lacking in solid third-base options."
In 2023, Noh hit 31 home runs and drove in 101 runs, earning titles for both home runs and RBIs. Last year, he set a personal record with 32 home runs, and this season, he recorded a .283 batting average with 29 home runs and 96 RBIs over 127 games. Over the past four seasons, he has accumulated 116 home runs.
However, his weaknesses are also evident. Metsmerized, a New York Mets-focused outlet, described Noh as one of the top home run hitters in the KBO over the past four years but identified his strikeouts as a significant issue. Noh's strikeout rate this season is 25.7%, with 147 strikeouts in 571 plate appearances.
The outlet pointed out, "Concerns about Noh's performance center around his strikeout numbers. He has recorded over 100 strikeouts in each of the past four seasons, with a personal high of 147 this year."
MLB Trade Rumors also addressed the difference in league levels, stating, "The KBO is generally regarded as a step below Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), resulting in fewer successful transitions directly from Korea to MLB. Noh's market value will depend on how MLB teams assess his ability to hit against higher-caliber pitchers."
The timing of negotiations is also a factor. The MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire on December 1, and if the league and the players' union fail to reach an agreement by then, a work stoppage is likely. If a work stoppage occurs, all administrative activities, including free agency and posting contracts, will come to a halt.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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