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[USAToday] Kang Jung-ho brings power, poise from Korea to Pirates

June 4, 2015

 

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung Ho Kang, of South Korea, gestures to teammates during batting practice before the Pirates play the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung Ho Kang, of South Korea, gestures to teammates during batting practice before the Pirates play the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

[USA TODAY]

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle likens the burden carried by his Korean infielder, Jung Ho Kang, to pulling a big wagon. The magnitude of major league stadiums and crowds, the increased media coverage and the responsibility of representing his country make for a heavy load.

At a sturdily built 6 feet and 215 pounds, Kang (pronounced “Ghang”) so far has proven capable of bearing the weight, but he will be tested time and again in a 162-game season that’s almost 30 games longer than any he has played in his 10 years as a pro.

Kang, the first position player to reach the majors from the Korean Baseball Organization, was a major factor in the Pirates’ late-May surge. With incumbent shortstop Jordy Mercer struggling to get his batting average above .200, Kang started 21 games at short and third base in May, batting .298 with three homers, 11 RBI and an .843 OPS.

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