CHICAGO — Jung Ho Kang is one step closer to the major leagues. The Pirates announced Sunday morning Kang has been promoted from High-A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis and will join the Indians Monday in Toledo.
Kang, who spoke to reporters at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. last Wednesday, slashed .417/.531/.875 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in seven games for the Marauders. The 31-year-old also walked six times with three strikeouts, and it will be his first stint with Indianapolis since his 16-game rehab assignment in 2016.
Neal Huntington said on his weekly radio show with 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates will make a decision within a week to 10 days on whether or not Kang is ready to be activated from the restricted list, and he didn't rule out keeping Kang in Triple-A if or when he is activated.
It was a logical step for Kang since the Pirates likely want to avoid having him take playing time away from Double-A prospects such as KeBryan Hayes and Cole Tucker. Instead, he'll join a crowded infield in Indianapolis, which also includes Adam Frazier, Kevin Newman, Kevin Kramer, Max Moroff and Jose Osuna.
Kang fared well against some high-velocity arms in the Florida State League, but the International League has more pitchers with refined breaking pitches. Kang struggled to hit off-speed pitches during his stint in the Dominican Winter League this past offseason, where he batted .143 with a .421 OPS in 24 games before he was cut from his team, Aguilas Cibaenas.
The Pirates' decision to demote Frazier Sunday could mean Kang will head to the majors after a short stint in Triple-A. Frazier cannot be recalled for 10 days, and the Pirates are now short on infielders in the major leagues. Sean Rodriguez is the only backup at second base and shortstop.
Meanwhile, the Pirates will be shorthanded in the event more than one outfielder needs a day off. If Kang needs more time in the minors, Newman, a first-round draft pick in 2015, could be promoted.
Kang crashed a BMW through a guard rail in Seoul, South Korea on December 1, 2016, and was later convicted of driving under the influence. He received an eight-month suspended sentence in March 2017 and lost an appeal two months later. Kang said he made the decision to stop drinking following his third DUI since 2009.
Kang did not disclose either of his first two DUIs to his former team in the Korea Baseball Organization, the Nexen Heroes, or the Pirates — a decision he now calls “ill-informed.” The U.S. State Department ruled Kang permanently ineligible to obtain a work visa after the third DUI, and he remained in South Korea for most of 2017.
On Jan. 16, 2015, the Pirates signed Kang to a four-year, $11 million contract with a club option for 2019 and paid Nexen a $5 million posting fee for Kang’s rights. He batted .287 with 15 home runs, 58 RBIs and .816 OPS in 2015, helping the Pirates win 98 games and finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year voting.