Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45

Jang projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the Korea Baseball Organization's September 2023 draft until he announced a month beforehand that he would rather pursue his dream of pitching in Major League Baseball. The Dodgers, who signed the first Korean big leaguer (Chan Ho Park) in 1994, coveted Jang but had little cash remaining in their 2023 international allotment. They traded righty pitching prospects Aldrin Batista and Maximo Martinez to the White Sox for $1 million in bonus pool money, then signed Jang for $900,000.

Jang's four-seam fastball parks at 94-96 mph and tops out at 99 with carry up in the strike zone, and he could add more velocity as he continues add strength to his 6-foot-4 frame. His advanced feel for spin results in a pair of plus breaking balls, a hard 84-87 mph slider and a 76-82 mph curveball with downer break. His changeup has been better than expected, arriving in the upper 80s before dropping at the plate.

Though there's some effort in Jang's delivery, his arm works well and his mechanics aren't a concern. He has battled his control throughout his pro debut after having no trouble throwing strikes as an amateur, but Los Angeles believes in his athleticism and thinks his walks this summer are more of a targeting issue than anything. Because he helped Korea win the Asian Games last fall, he's exempt from the mandatory 18-21 months service required of his nation's males and will be able to come to the United States this year.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

Projected as the No. 1 overall pick in Korea Baseball Organization's September 2023 draft, Jang announced in early August that he would bypass the KBO to pursue his dream of pitching in Major League Baseball. The Dodgers, who opened the door to signing Koreans coming to MLB when they landed Chan Ho Park in 1994, signed Jang for $900,000. Los Angeles previously had spent most of its 2023 international allotment, so it traded right-handed pitching prospects Aldrin Batista and Maximo Martinez to the White Sox for $1 million in bonus pool cash to afford Jang. 

Jang has the makings of three plus pitches. He operates at 93-95 mph and reaches 97 with carry on his four-seam fastball and could add more velocity as he fills out his 6-foot-3 frame. He has advanced feel for spin that translates into a power 84-87 mph slider and a 76-82 mph curveball with plenty of depth. 

Jang's 82-86 mph changeup lags behind his other offerings but features some promising fade and could become an average pitch with more development. Though there's a bit of effort in his delivery, his arm works well and he has no problem finding the strike zone. He could become a mid-rotation starter and perhaps more.

Awards

ACL Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
06/23/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated RHP Hyun-Seok Jang from the 7-day injured list.
	09/07/2024	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes placed RHP Hyun-Seok Jang on the 7-day injured list.
	08/08/2024	RHP Hyun-Seok Jang assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from ACL Dodgers.
	05/04/2024	RHP Hyun-Seok Jang assigned to ACL Dodgers from DSL LAD Mega.
	09/25/2023	DSL LAD Mega activated RHP Hyun-Seok Jang from the reserve list.
	08/10/2023	RHP Hyun-Seok Jang assigned to DSL LAD Mega.
	08/08/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RHP Hyun-Seok Jang to a minor league contract.