Ji-hwan Bae

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Ji-hwan Bae

| image = Ji-hwan Bae (52116629385) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Bae with the Indianapolis Indians in 2022

| team = Pittsburgh Pirates

| number = 3

| position = Center fielder / Second baseman

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|7|26}}

| birth_place = Daegu, South Korea

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 23

| debutyear = 2022

| debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

| statyear = May 14, 2025

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .228

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 2

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 44

| teams =

Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2022}}–present)

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{bb|KOR}}}}

}}

Ji-hwan Bae (born July 26, 1999) is a South Korean professional baseball center fielder and second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). In 2017, the Atlanta Braves announced the signing of Bae as a free agent. He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

Bae represented South Korea at the 2017 U-18 Baseball World Cup. During the tournament, he hit for a .286 batting average with five RBIs, six runs scored, six walks and two stolen bases. In his final high school baseball season, Bae appeared in 27 games, hit .474, and received the {{ill|Lee Young-min Batting Award|ko|이영민 타격상}} as South Korea's best hitter at the high school level.{{cite news|title=Ji-hwan Bae returns to South Korea amid domestic violence investigation|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23542223/ji-hwan-bae-pittsburgh-pirates-minor-leaguer-leaves-team-amid-domestic-violence-investigation|access-date=May 20, 2018|work=ESPN.com|date=May 19, 2018}} Bae was projected to be a first round pick in the 2017 KBO League draft.{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=David|title=Braves close to signing Korean shortstop|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-close-signing-korean-shortstop/8jEwmrc4Nz2gS2ghTMeRcL/|accessdate=September 24, 2017|date=September 24, 2017|archive-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927010203/https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-close-signing-korean-shortstop/8jEwmrc4Nz2gS2ghTMeRcL/|url-status=dead}}

Professional career

=Atlanta Braves=

On September 23, 2017, the Atlanta Braves announced the signing of Bae as a free agent.{{cite news|last1=Burns|first1=Gabriel|title=Braves compare Korean signee Bae to Trae Turner|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-compare-korean-signee-bae-trae-turner/8aJ66RmwLF20y7PTdZPgWP/|accessdate=September 24, 2017|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=September 23, 2017}} General manager John Coppolella claimed that Bae was the youngest Asian baseball player to sign with the Braves in nearly two decades.{{cite news|last1=Thompson|first1=Jaylon|title=Snitker encouraged by discussions about future|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/255758424/braves-brian-snitker-discusses-braves-future/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924052050/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/255758424/braves-brian-snitker-discusses-braves-future/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2017|accessdate=September 24, 2017|work=MLB.com|date=September 23, 2017}} By joining the Braves, Bae would have become the second player since {{ill|Kwon Kwang-min|ko|권광민}}, who signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2015, to leave a South Korean high school directly for professional baseball in the United States. On November 21, 2017, Major League Baseball voided his contract with the Braves as a result of fraudulent contract negotiations.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-hands-braves-penalties-for-signings-c262279086|title=Braves penalized for int'l signing violations|work=MLB.com|date=November 21, 2017|accessdate=November 21, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Ex-Braves GM John Coppolella permanently banned; team loses prospects|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21506598/ex-atlanta-braves-gm-john-coppolella-placed-mlb-banned-list-team-loses-prospects|access-date=November 22, 2017|work=ESPN.com|date=November 21, 2017}} The New York Times reported that, although Bae had agreed to sign for $300,000, the Braves planned to pay him an additional $600,000 by reallocating money promised to other signees.{{cite news|last1=Kepner|first1=Tyler|title=M.L.B. Bars Former Braves Executive in Signings Scandal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/sports/baseball/mlb-atlanta-braves-ban.html|accessdate=November 23, 2017|work=New York Times|date=November 21, 2017}} The KBO League barred Bae from signing with any South Korean professional team for two years because he had skipped the KBO's draft to join the Braves organization, where he appeared with Atlanta's Florida Instructional League team.{{cite news|title=Teen baseball prospect shrugs off murky future|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171219000215|accessdate=January 3, 2018|work=The Korea Herald|agency=Yonhap|date=December 19, 2017}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

==Minor leagues==

On March 27, 2018, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Bae for a reported signing bonus of $1.25 million.{{cite news|title=Pirates rookie Bae Ji-hwan scores run in spring training debut|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/03/27/0200000000AEN20180327001100315.html|accessdate=March 27, 2018|agency=Yonhap|date=March 27, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Berry|first1=Adam|title=New Bucs prospect Bae makes pro debut|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-prospect-ji-hwan-bae-makes-pro-debut/c-269726340|accessdate=March 27, 2018|work=MLB.com|date=March 26, 2018}} Bae finished the 2019 season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.{{cite news |title=Grasshoppers' Bae steams through August |url=https://www.milb.com/news/greensboro-grasshoppers-ji-hwan-bae-steaming-through-august-310226836 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |publisher=MILB.com |date=August 22, 2019}} He then played for Geelong-Korea in the Australian Baseball League during the offseason.{{cite news |title=Players to watch out for this summer |url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/geelong-advertiser/20191121/282119228381029 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=Geelong Advertiser |date=November 21, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Every name on the Geelong-Korea roster for the ABL season |url=https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/local-sport/every-name-on-the-geelongkorea-roster-for-the-abl-season/news-story/43d5b511e97e3779a3dc7191fb166d20 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=Geelong Advertiser |date=November 20, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Geelong Korea wants to focus on localization for 2019/20 season |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/korean/en/article/geelong-korea-wants-to-focus-on-localization-for-2019-20-season/zdc24530z |access-date=October 13, 2022 |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service}} The 2020 Minor League baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,{{cite news|last1=Adler|first1=David|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=June 5, 2022| url = https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled| title = 2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled| website = MLB.com}} and Bae was subsequently assigned to the Altoona Curve in 2021. At the Double-A level, he recorded a slash line of .278/.359/.413 with 12 doubles, five triples, seven homers and 31 RBIs in 83 games. After the minor league season ended, Bae was assigned to the Peoria Javelinas and selected to the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Pirates prospects Nick Gonzales, Ji-hwan Bae selected to play in AFL Fall Stars Game |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-prospects-nick-gonzales-ji-hwan-bae-selected-to-play-in-afl-fall-stars-game/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=November 21, 2021}} Bae spent most of the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Indians, where he appeared in 108 games, slashed .289/.362/.430 with 23 doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 53 RBIs.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Ji Hwan Bae ready to showcase speed, defensive versatility for Pirates after promotion |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-promoting-speedy-infielder-ji-hwan-bae-from-triple-a-indianapolis/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=September 23, 2022}}

==Major leagues==

On September 23, 2022, Bae made his major league debut.{{cite news |last1=Persak |first1=Mike |title=Pirates prospect Ji Hwan Bae joins team for Friday's game against Cubs |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2022/09/23/pirates-ji-hwan-bae-ben-cherington-domestic-assault-prospect-neal-huntington-mlb/stories/202209230073 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=September 23, 2022}} He started at second base for the Pirates in a game against the Chicago Cubs, was walked once, hit a single, and stole two bases.{{cite news |title=Quiroz hits go-ahead single in 8th, Cubs beat Pirates 6-5 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401356453 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=September 23, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=delos Santos |first1=Justice |title=Bae has ball in debut: 2 steals, 1 hit, 1 walk |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ji-hwan-bae-pirates-11th-ranked-prospect-called-up |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=September 23, 2022}} Bae made the Pirates 2023 Opening Day roster.{{cite news |last1=delos Santos |first1=Justice |title=Bucs set 2023 Opening Day roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-2023-opening-day-roster |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=March 30, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Pirates set Opening Day roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-pirates-set-opening-day-2023-roster |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=March 30, 2023}} On April 4, 2023, he hit his first major league home run.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Pirates rookie Ji Hwan Bae has Monster game with 1st career homer, spectacular catch |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-rookie-ji-hwan-bae-has-monster-game-with-1st-career-homer-spectacular-catch/ |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=April 5, 2023}} Bae began the 2024 season in the minor leagues, initially with Low-A Bradenton, on rehabilitation assignment for a muscle strain. The Pirates recalled Bae from Triple-A Indianapolis in May 2024; Bae recorded his first MLB hit and RBI of the 2024 season on the same day, May 21.{{cite news |last1=Hiles |first1=Noah |title=Sources: Pirates to call up Ji Hwan Bae from Triple-A Indianapolis |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/05/21/sources-pirates-to-recall-ji-hwan-bae-from-triple-a-indianapolis/stories/202405210069 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=May 22, 2024 |date=May 21, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Guerriero |first1=Justin |title=Ji Hwan Bae brings speed, defensive versatility, hot bat into Pirates lineup |url=https://triblive.com/sports/amid-offensive-tear-at-triple-a-pirates-call-up-ji-hwan-bae/ |access-date=May 22, 2024 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=May 21, 2024}} Bae made the Opening Day roster in 2025, and was optioned to Indianapolis on April 3.{{cite news |title=Roster moves |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-roster-moves-x1998 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=April 3, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Pirates add OF Alexander Canario, option IF/OF Ji Hwan Bae, trade C Jason Delay to Braves |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-add-of-alexander-canario-option-if-of-ji-hwan-bae-trade-c-jason-delay-to-braves/ |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=April 3, 2025}}

Personal life

Born in July 1999, Bae attended Kyeongbuk High School in Daegu.{{cite news|title=Korean high school shortstop signs with Atlanta Braves|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924094454/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2017/09/24/17/0702000000AEN20170924000900315F.html|accessdate=September 24, 2017|work=The Korea Herald|date=September 24, 2017|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2017/09/24/17/0702000000AEN20170924000900315F.html|agency=Yonhap|archivedate=September 24, 2017}} [http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170924000043 Alt URL] He grew up as a fan of South Korean professional baseball, and began watching Major League Baseball when fellow South Korea native Shin-Soo Choo joined the Cleveland Indians. Bae soon became a fan of Hyun-jin Ryu, Jung-ho Kang, and Jose Altuve.{{cite news|last1=Bloom|first1=Elizabeth|title=An inside look at the Pirates' signing of teenage Korean shortstop Ji-hwan Bae|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2018/03/27/ji-hwan-bae-pirates-signing-korea-atlanta-braves/stories/201803270152|accessdate=April 22, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=March 27, 2018}}

=Assault conviction=

In May 2018, Bae was accused of slapping, choking, and kicking his ex-girlfriend in 2017 on New Year's Eve, when he was 18 years old.{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/sports/wbaseball/article/076/0003258332|title=MLB 진출 야구 유망주, '여친 폭행 혐의' 피소|website=Naver News}}{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Pirates Prospect Ji-hwan Bae Accused Of Domestic Violence |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/pirates-prospect-ji-hwan-bae-accused-of-domestic-violence.html |access-date=February 15, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/359769/2018/05/18/exclusive-pirates-minor-leaguer-ji-hwan-bae-returns-to-south-korea-to-cooperate-with-police-investigation-into-abuse-allegations/|title=Exclusive: Pirates minor leaguer Ji-hwan Bae returns to South Korea to cooperate with police investigation into abuse allegations|first=Rob|last=Biertempfel|website=The Athletic|date=May 18, 2018}} In October 2018, he was convicted of assault in court in Daegu and required to pay a fine of ₩2 million.{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/sports/grasshoppers/mlb-suspends-hoppers-infielder-ji-hwan-bae-six-months-after-domestic-violence-conviction/article_e0c55f47-49a1-5bfb-922e-df66e69b87f6.html|title=MLB suspends Hoppers infielder Ji-Hwan Bae six months after domestic violence conviction|first=Jeff|last=Mills|website=Greensboro News and Record|date=April 18, 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=October 15, 2018 |title=Pirates Prospect Ji-hwan Bae Found Guilty Of Assaulting Former Girlfriend |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/10/pirates-prospect-ji-hwan-bae-found-guilty-of-assaulting-former-girlfriend.html |access-date=February 15, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/583875/2018/10/12/after-pirates-ji-hwan-bae-is-found-guilty-of-assault-in-south-korea-team-is-mum-on-the-shortstops-status/|title=MLB continues its investigaton after Pirates' prospect Ji-hwan Bae is found guilty of assault in South Korea|first=Rob|last=Biertempfel|website=The Athletic|date=October 12, 2018}} In April 2019, Major League Baseball suspended Bae without pay for 30 games because of the incident.{{cite news |first1=Sam |last1=Dykstra |title=Pirates' Bae suspended 30 games |url=https://www.milb.com/news/pittsburgh-pirates-ji-hwan-bae-suspended-30-games-306352696 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=April 17, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0010770709|title=마이너리거 배지환, 30경기 정지 징계…"전 여자친구 폭행"|website=sports.news.naver.com|language=ko|date=April 18, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/932591/2019/04/19/assault-victim-calls-for-pirates-to-release-suspended-minor-leaguer-ji-hwan-bae/|title=Assault victim calls for Pirates to release suspended minor leaguer Ji-Hwan Bae|first=Rob|last=Biertempfel|website=The Athletic|date=April 19, 2019}}