Hyun-il Choi
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Los Angeles Dodgers
Choi was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 for a $300,000 signing bonus as a 17-year old High School pitcher from South Korea.[1] He made his professional debut in 2019 with in the Arizona League, where he was 5–1 with a 2.63 ERA in 14 games (11 starts). He struck out 71 in 65 innings.[2]
Choi missed the 2020 season as a result of the cancellation of the minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes to start the 2021 season before being promoted to High-A Great Lakes Loons at mid-season.[3] Across the two levels, he was 8–6 with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (11 starts) and struck out 106 batters in 106+1⁄3 innings while only walking 18.[2] The Dodgers recognized him by awarding him the organizations Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award.[4] Choi only pitched in one game for Great Lakes in 2022 before being shut down with forearm inflammation.[5] He returned to Great Lakes in 2023, pitching in 16 games (13 starts) with a 4–5 record and 3.75 ERA.[2]
Choi began the 2024 season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers before an early call-up to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club.[6] He made 24 appearances (21) starts between the two teams, with a 5–11 record and 4.92 ERA.[2]
Washington Nationals
On December 11, 2024, Choi was selected by the Washington Nationals in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.[7] He made 30 appearances (20 starts) for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in 2025, accumulating a 7-8 record and 4.87 ERA with 88 strikeouts across 116+1⁄3 innings pitched. Choi elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.[8]
References
- ↑ Hill, David (August 21, 2018). "Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly sign Korean pitcher Hyun-Il Choi". Fansided. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 "Hyun-il Choi Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ↑ Stephen, Eric (August 4, 2021). "Hyun-il Choi highlights level debuts across Dodgers minor leagues". SB Nation. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ↑ "Dodgers name Miguel Vargas & Hyun-Il Choi Branch Rickey Minor League Players of the Year". MLB.com. October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ↑ "Dodgers' Hyun-il Choi: Still out with forearm injury". CBS Sports. June 10, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ↑ Stephen, Eric (May 5, 2024). "Hyun-il Choi pitches 6 no-hit innings for Oklahoma City". SB Nation. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ↑ "Clubs picking big talent in Rule 5 Draft". mlb.com. December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ↑ Eddy, Matt (November 7, 2025). "Minor League Free Agents 2025".