'Shim Jun-seok is a 20-year-old big right-hander with a small risk' U.S. media praised Miami ace for recruiting...What about Go Woo Seok and rice?

Jul 31, 2024

Shim Joon-seok poses at the Pittsburgh joining ceremony in January 2023. Photo = Pittsburgh Pirates Club SNS

The Pittsburgh Pirates, who are struggling to advance to the postseason, gave up Shim Joon-seok as a "fastball prospect".

Pittsburgh handed down right-handed promising pitcher Shim Joon-seok and promising infielder Garrett Forester to the Miami Marlins on the 31st (Korea Standard Time) and recruited outfielder Brian De La Cruz" he said.

In addition, Pittsburgh signed Toronto Blue Jays utility man Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and sent home and field prospect Charles McAdoo on the same day.

Pittsburgh is strengthening its batting lineup and defense by recruiting two batters. As of the 30th, the batting average was 25th in the team batting average (0.231) and 21st in the average score (4.16), and the batting average was weak. Pittsburgh is ranked second in the NL Central with 54 wins and 52 losses and fifth in the wild card, so the postseason is not impossible.

Shim Joon-seok, who moved to the U.S. last year, was unable to leave any results in the minor leagues due to his injury and moved to the minor leagues under Miami.

Shim Jun-seok from Deoksu's days. Sports Chosun DB

Shim Joon-seok has yet to play a single game this season. He is rehabilitating from a shoulder injury. Last year, Shim Joon-seok started four games in the rookie league and pitched eight innings, recording a 3.38 ERA, three walks and 13 strikeouts. Shim Jun-seok, ranked 17th in Pittsburgh in this year's MLB Pipeline Prospect Rankings, is currently on the 60-day injured list.

In a segment evaluating the trade, The Athletic put a B- on Miami, saying `He has the quality to be a big success, but he remains on the injured list all season long.'

The media then evaluated that "'The Marlins, who have no reason to refuse anything, got a large right-hander from South Korea who is known to have excellent skills.'" Since he is only 20 years old with little professional experience, the Marlins instead of giving up an outfielder with only one tool, brought a player who has low risk and can hold it for a long time.'

Shim Jun-seok joined Pittsburgh for a down payment of $750,000 in January 2023 when he was a senior at Deoksu High School. At that time, Shim Joon-seok dreamed of the future while looking at the PNC Park ground after the joining ceremony, but he did not make a big impression for nearly two years. It remains to be seen whether Shim Joon-seok, who crossed the Pacific Ocean after being evaluated as an `elementary and high school level' pitcher with a fastball in his late 90s, will have a chance to grow in Miami.

KBO right-hander Ko Woo-seok plays for Miami-affiliated Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, but the possibility of playing with Shim Joon-seok this year or next year seems slim.

jhno@sportschosun.com