Ji Man Choi Stats & Scouting Report

AB	84
AVG	.19
OBP	.317
SLG	.357
HR	4

Full name Ji Man Choi
Born 05/19/1991 in Incheon, South Korea
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 260 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Dong San
Debut 04/05/2016

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Choi always has been known as a hit-first player--he moved off catcher to first base in 2011--whose lack of power limits his chances of being an everyday big leaguer. So when hit with a 50-game suspension early in 2014 for using a performance-enhancing substance, he faced further skepticism. Upon his return from his suspension, Choi didn't really assuage that criticism by slugging .392. He is a pure hitter who can line the ball to all fields with a short, direct, lefthanded stroke, but he doesn't have much natural loft in his swing. His best-case scenario is as a James Loney-type offensive first baseman, but as a fringe-average defender, he lacks Loney's defensive value. The Mariners tried Choi in left field, but he's not a viable option out there. Choi will head back to Triple-A in 2015 to try to prove his doubters wrong.
Choi had a breakout season in 2013, starting at high Class A High Desert, making stops at Double-A Jackson and the Futures Game along the way. He ended the year at Triple-A Tacoma. All of that happened while he was making the conversion from catcher to first baseman, and he wound up being protected on the 40-man roster in November. Choi made a splash in 2010 when was the MVP of the Rookie-level Arizona League, but his career stagnated until he became a full-time first baseman and also put together a better plan of attack in the batter's box. Already possessing a good eye, Choi has become even more selective and laid off the pitches he could not drive. He struggles with lefthanders and lacks profile power for a first baseman, instead spraying line drives to the gaps at his best. Choi fits the second-division regular description and is in an organization that continues to chase power at first base. He'll likely man the position at Tacoma in 2014 unless he's needed in Seattle.

Minor League Top Prospects

Choi's pro debut was a spectacular success. He led the AZL in batting (.378) and OPS (1.000), won the MVP award and hit well in an 11-game cameo in the high Class A California League. Choi's strengths at the plate are his ability to use the whole field with good gap-to-gap power and his solid on-base skills. His speed is below average, but he used his smarts to steal 10 bases in 11 attempts. "He's a student of the game," Bottin said. "That's what is going to be his plus side as he gets older and goes up in the higher levels. He understands the game." Choi signed as a catcher and showed some skills behind the plate, throwing out six of 12 basestealers. He spent more time at first base, though his doesn't have the raw power desired at that position. The Mariners plan to develop him at both spots.

Career Transactions

Syracuse Mets released DH Ji Man Choi.
Syracuse Mets activated DH Ji Man Choi from the 7-day injured list.
Syracuse Mets placed DH Ji Man Choi on the 7-day injured list.
DH Ji Man Choi assigned to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets signed free agent DH Ji Man Choi to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
San Diego Padres activated DH Ji Man Choi.
Pittsburgh Pirates traded LHP Rich Hill and DH Ji Man Choi to San Diego Padres for LHP Jackson Wolf, 1B Alfonso Rivas and OF Estuar Suero.
Pittsburgh Pirates traded LHP Rich Hill and DH Ji Man Choi to San Diego Padres for LHP Jackson Wolf, 1B Alfonso Rivas and OF Estuar Suero.
Pittsburgh Pirates activated DH Ji Man Choi from the 60-day injured list.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve.
Pittsburgh Pirates transferred DH Ji Man Choi from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed DH Ji Man Choi on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 14, 2023. Strain of the left Achilles tendon.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed DH Ji Man Choi on the 10-day injured list.