Addison Russell could eventually win KBO MVP after getting contract in Korea

Addison Russell has the expertise to provide one of many biggest seasons in KBO historical past if he stays in Korea past the reported one-year, $530,000 contract with the Kiwoom Heroes on Friday that may drop him into the center of the 2020 marketing campaign.

Ought to that occur, MLB groups is perhaps tempted to deliver him again to the U.S. despite the substantial allegations of domestic violence that led to a 40-game suspension final 12 months. It will be one other check of baseball’s lengthy observe document of granting further possibilities to those that carry out properly sufficient on the sphere.

To that finish, it is fairly clear why Russell didn’t get a new MLB deal after being non-tendered by the Cubs this past offseason. He did not present sufficient offensive manufacturing to warrant the general public relations danger or moral concern of bringing him to a brand new crew, batting .237 in 82 video games after serving his ban in Chicago.

Russell’s stats will seemingly balloon in Korea and maybe change the way in which MLB golf equipment understand him. It is simple to overlook that he broke by to the massive leagues across the similar time as Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager with comparable fanfare. He grew to become an All-Star at 22. Even when he struggled on the plate final 12 months, he remained a slick, above common middle-infield defender.

MORE: Wearable tech in sports has its pitfalls

Whereas it is troublesome to gauge the extent of expertise within the KBO in comparison with MLB, it is in all probability truthful to put it round the Triple-A stage. MLB rejects akin to Jamie Romak and Aaron Altherr routinely slug greater than 30 dwelling runs.

There actually is not a U.S. participant like Russell who has jumped to Korea at this stage of his profession. At 25, Russell is on the age many gamers are simply settling into MLB competitors. He has 5 large league seasons below his belt.

So, the previous No. 11 general MLB draft decide, who was as soon as a consensus top-five prospect, might dominate his new digs. It is going to work to his benefit that spotlight on his home violence allegations are prone to be far much less overwhelming than they have been final 12 months in Chicago. He additionally joins a membership within the Kiwoom Heroes that is likely one of the higher groups within the KBO.

The query then turns into whether or not MLB would grant him one other alternative, with a crew hopeful the passage of time would mute criticism. For each hit he delivers in Korea (and there’ll virtually actually be loads of them), the urge will develop stronger.