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Texas Inks JK Ryu & Guy EdmondsBaseball Time in ArlingtonHis bloodlines also didn't act as a detriment to his perceived value; both his father and uncle played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the highest ...
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.bbtia.com/the-clubhouse/2010/2/12/texas-inks-jk-ryu-guy-edmonds.html&usg=AFQjCNGkU2usQTvrH5DrndcaOUqlrbgMog
Texas Inks J.K. Ryu & Guy Edmonds
Joey Matschulat
February 12, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Per Baseball America's Matt Eddy, the Rangers have signed right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu and catcher Guy Edmonds, two foreign-born players who each possess some degree of future impact potential.
In the case of the younger, Australian-born Edmonds, that potential isn't due to be realized for many years (if at all), but he figures to be one to watch: the 16-year-old backstop -- who reportedly inked a $150,000 deal -- was apparently regarded as the world's top junior catcher, and made a name for himself at the 2009 World Youth Baseball Championship in Taiwan last year, where he smashed two home runs and found himself as the only Australian named to the World All-Star Team alongside players from China, Venezuela, Cuba, Japan and the United States.
His bloodlines also didn't act as a detriment to his perceived value; both his father and uncle played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the highest level in professional rugby in Australia
Ryu, 27, didn't pitch professionally in 2009, but could possibly end up in the mix for a bullpen spot if he fares really well in the minors and/or a rash of injuries breaks out at the big league level; the South Korean hurler brandishes an 89-92 mph two-seam fastball, a curveball and a change-up, all of which were described by Padres scouts -- via team executive Paul DePodesta -- as "at least major league-average pitches [...] that he can throw for strikes."
Given his ground ball tendencies and solid-average performance against right-handed batters throughout his professional career, there's at least a reomte chance that we end up hearing his name in the context of the active roster this season.
Those of you who possess exceptionally good memories might also recall that Ryu landed in serious hot water in 2003 after intentionally hitting a male osprey with a baseball in April 2003 while pitching for the High-A Daytona Cubs.
The bird was already mortally ill, but Ryu's throw hastened the bird's death; in any event, the incident resulted in him being demoted to the Lansing Lugnuts, while public outrage manifested in the form of angry e-mails, phone calls and even death threats.
This Orlando Sentinel column from July 13th, 2003 on the fallout is worth checking out if you'd like to hear all of the specifics, including some more information on Ryu's background; his $1.6 million signing bonus is still the largest doled out by the Cubs to any South Korean amateur player.
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.bbtia.com/the-clubhouse/2010/2/12/texas-inks-jk-ryu-guy-edmonds.html&usg=AFQjCNGkU2usQTvrH5DrndcaOUqlrbgMog
Texas Inks J.K. Ryu & Guy Edmonds
Joey Matschulat
February 12, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Per Baseball America's Matt Eddy, the Rangers have signed right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu and catcher Guy Edmonds, two foreign-born players who each possess some degree of future impact potential.
In the case of the younger, Australian-born Edmonds, that potential isn't due to be realized for many years (if at all), but he figures to be one to watch: the 16-year-old backstop -- who reportedly inked a $150,000 deal -- was apparently regarded as the world's top junior catcher, and made a name for himself at the 2009 World Youth Baseball Championship in Taiwan last year, where he smashed two home runs and found himself as the only Australian named to the World All-Star Team alongside players from China, Venezuela, Cuba, Japan and the United States.
His bloodlines also didn't act as a detriment to his perceived value; both his father and uncle played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the highest level in professional rugby in Australia
Ryu, 27, didn't pitch professionally in 2009, but could possibly end up in the mix for a bullpen spot if he fares really well in the minors and/or a rash of injuries breaks out at the big league level; the South Korean hurler brandishes an 89-92 mph two-seam fastball, a curveball and a change-up, all of which were described by Padres scouts -- via team executive Paul DePodesta -- as "at least major league-average pitches [...] that he can throw for strikes."
Given his ground ball tendencies and solid-average performance against right-handed batters throughout his professional career, there's at least a reomte chance that we end up hearing his name in the context of the active roster this season.
Those of you who possess exceptionally good memories might also recall that Ryu landed in serious hot water in 2003 after intentionally hitting a male osprey with a baseball in April 2003 while pitching for the High-A Daytona Cubs.
The bird was already mortally ill, but Ryu's throw hastened the bird's death; in any event, the incident resulted in him being demoted to the Lansing Lugnuts, while public outrage manifested in the form of angry e-mails, phone calls and even death threats.
This Orlando Sentinel column from July 13th, 2003 on the fallout is worth checking out if you'd like to hear all of the specifics, including some more information on Ryu's background; his $1.6 million signing bonus is still the largest doled out by the Cubs to any South Korean amateur player.