ByungHo Park

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #7 prospect in 2016
  Rushed to the Korean major league in his age-18 season, Park struggled to establish himself with the LG Twins. He missed two full seasons (2007-08) to fulfill his military obligation, remained a part-time player through his first four-plus seasons and failed to produce until after he was traded to Nexen early in 2011. Park blossomed over the next four seasons into one of the most feared power hitters in Asia. After the successful 2015 transition for the Pirates' Jung Ho Kang, Park's former Nexen teammate, the Twins were the surprise winners at $12.85 million after Park was posted in early November. They signed him to a modest four-year, $12 million deal with a fifth-year club option in December. Park's top tool is his plus power, as he showed with the first back-to-back 50-homer seasons in Korean history. Below-average as a hitter and a below-average runner, Park can put on a show in batting practice and punish mistakes in games. He likes the ball out over the plate and shows power to all fields but can get beat with fastballs up and in. Originally signed as a third baseman, Park has at least an average arm and is agile enough at first base. His instincts are good. He is considered a good teammate and has already made it clear he will tone down the bat flips that are practically expected in Korea. He has worked hard to improve his English comprehension in recent years and should handle the cultural transition better than some might expect. Barring a terrible spring, Park figures to get the vast majority of his playing time at DH. The Twins have made it clear they don't wish to saddle Miguel Sano with that role so early in his career, and Joe Mauer has remained healthy for the most part since moving to first base. Park should step right into the middle of the order. Korean Totals .343 868 2748 535 773 137 5 210 604 432 801 59 22 .387 .564