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Kang Jung-ho confident he can win starting job with Pirates

January 14, 2015

(Yonhap)

INCHEON (Yonhap) — On the verge of joining the Pittsburgh Pirates with his first Major League Baseball (MLB) contract, South Korean shortstop Kang Jung-ho said Wednesday he is confident he can outplay the Bucs’ incumbent shortstop if given an opportunity.

Kang left for Pittsburgh on Wednesday, a day after a U.S. report claimed that he and the Pirates had agreed to a four-year deal worth about US$16 million. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Kang insisted no deal was in place yet, but he was also caught looking ahead to joining the Pirates.

The 27-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with the Nexen Heroes in 2014. He had 40 homers and 117 RBIs, both single-season records for a shortstop, and led the league with a 1.198 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).

Kang may not be able to duplicate these gaudy numbers in the majors, but the player sounded confident he can have success there.

Once the deal is signed, Kang will be joining a crowded Pittsburgh infield that features two mainstays in the middle infield. Shortstop Jordy Mercer had career-highs of 12 homers and 55 RBIs last year while also improving his defense. Second baseman Neil Walker, a Pittsburgh native, also had a productive offensive season with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs.

Kang may be asked to switch positions in the bigs. On Wednesday, Kang said he’d like to play his natural position at shortstop, adding that all he wants is a chance to prove himself.

“If I get an opportunity to play consistently, I think I can play better (than Mercer),” Kang said. “I think I’ll have to talk to the team about my position, but I’d like to play shortstop.”

Mercer improved his home run and RBI totals from 2013, but his batting average dipped from .285 to .255. He had an on-base percentage of .336 in 2013 but just .305 in 2014, while his slugging percentage fell from .435 in 2013 to .387 last year.

Kang, who was a catcher in high school, has primarily been a shortstop in his pro career. He played third base for the national team at the 2010 Asian Games. Kang previously said if he had to switch positions, he’d prefer to play third base over second base because he’d feel more comfortable there.

Skeptics have also expressed qualms about Kang’s leg kick, which could leave him vulnerable to offspeed pitches. Kang said Wednesday, though, he isn’t about to alter his style.

“I see that many hitters in the majors do that,” Kang said. “So I have no intention to change my approach.”

He said he has watched the Pirates’ highlights from last season and he was aware of the players that have starred for the club.

“Watching from here, I think this is a very tight ball club,” Kang added. “I think the players have been playing well with each other.”

Kang also said he’d like to visit PNC Park, the Pirates’ home, and see firsthand just how difficult it will be for right-handed hitters like himself to hit one out.

Statistically, PNC Park ranks as one of the majors’ toughest stadiums to hit home runs at, in particular for right-handed batters thanks to its spacious left-center gap.

It’s 410 feet, or 125 meters, to deep left-center, compared to 114 meters to right-center and 122 meters to straightaway center field. Kang played his home games in 2014 at Seoul’s Mokdong Stadium, where it’s about 113 meters to left-center.

Of his 40 KBO homers, 25 of them went over the left field or left-center field wall.

“I am most curious about the stadium,” Kang said of his trip to Pittsburgh. “I want to know just how big it is. I heard it’s difficult for right-handed hitters (to hit home runs there).”

Kang also reiterated his desire to face Aroldis Chapman, the flame-throwing closer for the Cincinnati Reds. Should Kang sign with the Pirates, the Bucs and the Reds will play each other frequently as they are National League Central rivals.

“I want to see for myself how hard he can pitch,” Kang said of the Cuban left-hander, who routinely clocks over 100 miles per hour with his fastball. “I can only be a great player if I can hit Chapman.”