Fantasy Information Central - MLB Player Spotlights: Hee Seop Choi (1B), ChC

Hee Seop Choi (1B), ChC

May 11, 2003

Hee Seop Choi - Chicago Cubs
Firstbase
Age: 24 (March 16, 1979)
Height: 6-5 Weight: 235
Throws: Left Bats: Left

Year	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	AVG	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	SLG	OBP	OPS
1999	A	Lansing	79	290	71	93	0.321	18	6	18	70	2	50	68	0.610	0.420	1.030
2000	A	Daytona	96	345	60	102	0.296	25	6	15	70	4	37	78	0.533	0.363	0.896
2000	AA	West Tenn	36	122	25	37	0.303	9	0	10	25	3	25	38	0.622	0.421	1.043
2001	AAA	Iowa	77	266	38	61	0.229	11	0	13	45	5	34	67	0.417	0.316	0.733
2002	AAA	Iowa	135	478	94	137	0.287	24	3	26	97	3	95	119	0.513	0.406	0.919
2002	MAJ	Chi-N	24	50	6	9	0.180	1	0	2	4	0	7	15	0.320	0.281	0.601
2003	MAJ	Chi-N	29	77	19	19	0.247	6	0	6	17	1	21	29	0.558	0.420	0.978
Major League		Totals	53	127	25	28	0.220	7	0	8	21	1	28	44	0.465	0.369	0.834

History
Hee Seop Choi was the first Korean positional player to sign with a major league team when he agreed to a $1.2 million bonus with the Chicago Cubs in March 1999.

His first full year of professional baseball was at Single-A Lansing. At 20-years-old, he showed great plate discipline and power for such a young hitter and quickly became a top hitting prospect in the Cubs organization. His only flaw was his defense as he committed 18 errors in 79 games. He continued to show the same offensive abilities in 2000 as he was promoted to high single-A Daytona and then to Double-A West Tennessee.

In 2001, Choi lost half the year with severe inflammation in his right wrist and his stats took a severe hit at Triple-A. In 2002 at full health, Choi re-established himself as one of the top power hitting prospects in the game. Unfortunately Fred McGriff blocked his path to the majors and manager Bruce Kimm was more concerned with Fred MGriff becoming the first big leaguer to reach 30 homers with five different teams than letting Choi get some at-bats.

2003 Outlook
Despite trading for Eric Karros in the offseason, the Cubs stood by Choi and he hasn't disappointed. Choi currently ranks 14th in the NL in OBP (.408) and ranks 4th amongst NL first baseman in OPS (.945). Some scouts questioned Choi's ability to hit inside fastballs due to his uppercut swing; however he's shortened his swing over the last year and hasn't lost any power. He's currently on pace to walk 95 times and the NL record is 100 set by Jim Gilliam in 1953.

Choi entered the 2003 as the favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award and he's still the frontrunner. He's on pace to hit 25-30 homers with 80 RBI. Choi is proving that he'll be a high on-base percentage and 30+ homer man for years to come.