Ji-man Choi (; ; born May 19, 1991) is a South Korean professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

designated hitter The designated hitter (DH) is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher. Unlike other players in a team's lineup, they generally only play as an offensive player and usually do not play defense as ...

and

first baseman A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...

. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Di ...

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

, and

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...

Career

Seattle Mariners

Choi signed with the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

before the 2010 season and was sent to their AZL affiliate. With the

Arizona League Mariners The Arizona Complex League Mariners are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. The team is comp ...

, Choi batted .378 with 23

runs scored In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted bal ...

, 51

hits Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * '' H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block * ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998 * ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014, a British compilation album s ...

, 15 doubles, two

triples TripleS (; ; stylized as tripleS) is a South Korean 24-member multinational girl group formed by Modhaus. They aim to be the world's first decentralized idol group, where the members will rotate between the full group, sub-units, and solo activi ...

, one

home run In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the Baseball (ball), ball is hit in such a way that the batting (baseball), batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safe (baseball), safely in one play without any error ( ...

, 23

runs batted in A run batted in or runs batted in (RBI) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if th ...

(RBI), and 10

stolen bases In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a runner advances to a base unaided by other actions and the official scorer rules that the advance should be credited to the action of the runner. The umpires determine whether the runner is safe or out a ...

in 39

games played Games played (GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity); the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested. Associat ...

. Amongst league batters, Choi was second in

on-base percentage In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) measures how frequently a batting (baseball), batter reaches base (baseball), base. An official Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic since 1984, it is sometimes referred to as on-base average (OBA ...

(.459), and

slugging percentage In baseball statistics, slugging percentage (SLG) is a measure of the batting productivity of a hitter. It is calculated as total bases divided by at-bats, through the following formula, where ''AB'' is the number of at-bats for a given player, an ...

(.541). Choi also played 11 games with the

High-A High-A, officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing, is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A and D ...

High Desert Mavericks The High Desert Mavericks were an American Minor League Baseball team in Adelanto, California, that played their home games at Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium. They played in the Class A-Advanced California League. The franchise had eight d ...

of the

California League The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major Leagu ...

that season. On August 24, in a game against the

Inland Empire 66ers The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The 66ers are based in San Bernardino, California, and play at San Manuel Stadium. Franchi ...

, Choi hit his first and only home run with the Mavericks. With the Mavericks, he batted .302 with seven runs scored, 13 hits, one double, one triple, one home run, and seven RBIs. Combined between the two teams, Choi batted .360 with 30 runs scored, 64 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, two home runs, and 30 RBIs in 50 games played. On defense between the two clubs, he played 34 games as a

and 10 as a

catcher Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catc ...

, committing two

error An error (from the Latin , meaning 'to wander'Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “error (n.), Etymology,” September 2023, .) is an inaccurate or incorrect action, thought, or judgement. In statistics, "error" refers to the difference between t ...

s; and making 39 assists, and 326

putout In baseball statistics, a putout (PO) is awarded to a defensive player who (generally while in secure possession of the ball) records an out by one of the following methods: * Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base (a tag ...

s. After the season, he was named the Arizona League

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

. The Seattle Mariners named Choi as their top

position player In baseball, a position player is a player who on defense plays as an infielder, outfielder, or catcher. A pitcher is generally not considered a position player. A designated hitter, who bats but does not play any defensive position, is also not ...

on their Arizona League affiliate. Choi played for the

Jackson Generals The Jackson Generals were a professional baseball team located in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1998 to 2020, they were a part of Minor League Baseball's Southern League (SL) as the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs (1998–2006), Seattle Mari ...

of the Double-A Southern League in 2013. He was named to the World Team roster of the

All-Star Futures Game The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League- ...

. Choi was added to the Mariners 40-man roster on November 20, 2013. On April 17, 2014, Choi was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for

methandienone Metandienone, also known as methandienone or methandrostenolone and sold under the brand name Dianabol (D-Bol) among others, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which is mostly no longer prescribed. It is also used non-medically ...

. Choi sustained a fractured

fibula The fibula (: fibulae or fibulas) or calf bone is a leg bone on the lateral side of the tibia, to which it is connected above and below. It is the smaller of the two bones and, in proportion to its length, the most slender of all the long bones. ...

in the first game of Mariners'

spring training Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...

in 2015, as he leaped at first base to try to save an errant throw from farmhand Tyler Smith at shortstop. The next day, he was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

when the Mariners re-added left-hander

Edgar Olmos Edgar Olmos (born April 12, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and Seattle Mariners, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Ca ...

Los Angeles Angels

On November 24, 2015, Choi signed a minor league contract with the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

organization. On December 10, the

(then known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) selected Choi from the Orioles in the

Rule 5 draft The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball (MLB) player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor lea ...

. Choi made the Angels'

Opening Day Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent year ...

roster, and he made his major league debut on April 5, 2016. Choi was

by the Angels on May 11. On May 15, Choi cleared waivers and accepted an outright to the

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Based in South Jordan, Utah, the team plays its home games at The Ballpark at Am ...

of the Triple-A

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

. Choi returned to the majors on July 9 in place of injured C. J. Cron. Choi hit his first career major league home run off Texas Rangers starter A. J. Griffin at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 19. In 54 appearances for the Angels during his rookie campaign, he slashed .170/.271/.339 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases. On December 23, Choi was designated for assignment.

New York Yankees

On January 14, 2017, Choi signed a minor league contract with the

, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training. At the end of spring training he was assigned to the

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, often abbreviated to SWB RailRiders, are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They are located in Moosic, Pen ...

of the Triple-A

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...

. The Yankees promoted Choi to the major leagues on July 4. In his first game with the Yankees, he hit a two-run home run. Choi was designated for assignment on July 19, and assigned outright to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on July 23.

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 15, 2018, Choi signed a minor league deal with the

. His contract was purchased by the Brewers on March 28, and he was assigned to the Opening Day roster. After an assignment to the Triple-A

Colorado Springs Sky Sox The Colorado Springs Sky Sox were a Minor League Baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team played in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and was the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2018), Colorado R ...

, Choi was recalled on May 18, to the Brewers active roster. He homered in his first at-bat as designated hitter against the Minnesota Twins. On June 9, Choi hit his first career

grand slam Grand Slam or Grand slam may refer to: Games and sports * Grand slam, winning category terminology originating in contract bridge and other whist card games Athletics * Grand Slam Track, professional track and field league Auto racing * ...

as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning of a Brewers-

Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

game. It was the Milwaukee Brewers' first grand slam of 2018.

Tampa Bay Rays

One day after his grand slam with the Brewers, Choi was traded to the

for infielder

Brad Miller Brad may refer to: * Brad (given name), a masculine given name Places * Brad, Hunedoara, a city in Hunedoara County, Romania * Brad, a village in Berești-Bistrița Commune, Bacău County, Romania * Brad, a village in Filipeni, Bacău, Romania * ...

and cash considerations. He was immediately optioned to the Triple-A

Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened ...

. The Rays promoted Choi to the major leagues on July 11, 2018. On September 10, he hit a walk-off two-run homer against

Brad Hand Bradley Richard Hand (born March 20, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida/Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Washington ...

of the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

. In 49 games for the Rays, Choi hit .269 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs. In 2019, Choi played in 127 games, hitting .261 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI. On September 24, Choi hit a 12th-inning walk-off home run against the Yankees. In the postseason, he had three hits in 23 at-bats, recording one solo home run. The Rays were defeated by the

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...

in the

Division Series The Division Series is the quarterfinal round of the Major League Baseball postseason. Four series are played in this round, two each for both the American League and the National League. 1981 season The first use of the term "Division Series ...

. In his first full year with the Rays, Choi established himself as a fan favorite due to his performance and attitude on the field. On July 26, 2020, Choi made his first appearance as a

switch hitter In baseball, a switch hitter is a player who bats both right-handed and left-handed, usually right-handed against left-handed pitchers and left-handed against right-handed pitchers, although there are some exceptions. Characteristics Right-han ...

in his career, batting right-handed twice against left-handed

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...

pitcher Anthony Kay. In his second appearance against Kay, he hit a home run. Choi ended the year batting .230/.331/.410 with 3 home runs in 42 games. In game one of the

American League Division Series In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series (ALDS) determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series, featuring ea ...

against the

, he hit a two-run home run against

Gerrit Cole Gerrit Alan Cole (born September 8, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Cole played for the bas ...

. This was his third home run against Cole in 2020, improving his career numbers to 10-for-19 with four home runs against him. In Game 2 of the

2020 World Series The 2020 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's 2020 season. The 116th World Series was a best-of-seven-playoff between the American League (AL) champion Tampa Bay Rays and the National League (NL) champion Los An ...

, Choi singled to right field, becoming the first Korean player to record a hit in the

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...

. Choi played in 83 games for the Rays in 2021, batting .229/.348/.411 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs. On November 30, 2021, Choi signed a $3.2 million contract with the Rays, avoiding salary arbitration.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On November 10, 2022, Choi was traded to the

in exchange for pitcher Jack Hartman. On April 19, 2023, it was announced that Choi would miss at least eight weeks with a left

Achilles In Greek mythology, Achilles ( ) or Achilleus () was a hero of the Trojan War who was known as being the greatest of all the Greek warriors. The central character in Homer's ''Iliad'', he was the son of the Nereids, Nereid Thetis and Peleus, ...

strain. He was activated from the injured list on July 7.

San Diego Padres

On August 1, 2023, Choi and Rich Hill were traded to the

in exchange for Alfonso Rivas, Estuar Suero, and

Jackson Wolf Jackson David Wolf (born April 22, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization. Amateur career Wolf attended Lincoln High School in Gahanna, Ohio, where he played baseball. He went unselected in the ...

. After going hitless in seven games for the Padres, Choi was placed on the injured list with a left rib strain on August 14. On September 5, he began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A

El Paso Chihuahuas The El Paso Chihuahuas are a Minor League Baseball team based in El Paso, Texas. The Chihuahuas compete in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) as the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The team plays its home games at Sou ...

. However, that day, Choi suffered a

Lisfranc fracture A Lisfranc injury, also known as Lisfranc fracture, is an injury of the foot in which one or more of the metatarsal bones are displaced from the tarsus. The injury is named after Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, a French surgeon and gynecolog ...

after fouling a ball off of his right foot. Despite the injury, Choi resumed his rehab the next week and was activated from the injured list on September 15. He became a free agent following the season.

New York Mets

On February 16, 2024, Choi signed a minor league contract with the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

that included an invitation to spring training. In 26 games for the Triple-A

Syracuse Mets The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which ope ...

, he batted .191/.317/.357 with four home runs and 12 RBI. On May 31, Choi requested and was granted his release from the Mets organization. After going unsigned for the 2025 MLB season, Choi returned to South Korea in May to begin his

compulsory military service Conscription, also known as the draft in the United States and Israel, is the practice in which the compulsory enlistment in a national service, mainly a military service, is enforced by law. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it contin ...

. He plans to enter the

KBO League The KBO League () is a professional baseball league in South Korea. The league comprises ten teams. The KBO League was founded with six franchises in 1982 and is the most popular sports league in South Korea. The Kia Tigers are the most success ...

in 2027.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Choi, Ji-man 1991 births Living people Adelaide Bite players Altoona Curve players Arizona League Mariners players Clinton LumberKings players Colorado Springs Sky Sox players Durham Bulls players El Paso Chihuahuas players Estrellas Orientales players Florida Complex League Rays players High Desert Mavericks players Indianapolis Indians players Jackson Generals (Southern League) players Los Angeles Angels players Major League Baseball first basemen Major League Baseball left fielders Major League Baseball players from South Korea Milwaukee Brewers players New York Yankees players Pittsburgh Pirates players Salt Lake Bees players San Diego Padres players Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players South Korean expatriate baseball players in Australia South Korean expatriate baseball players in Venezuela South Korean expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic South Korean expatriate baseball players in the United States South Korean expatriate sportspeople in Venezuela Syracuse Mets players Baseball players from Incheon Tacoma Rainiers players Tampa Bay Rays players Tigres de Aragua players