Ji-man Choi

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Ji-man Choi

| image = Ji-man Choi during warmups, March 15, 2024 - 00004 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Choi with the New York Mets in 2024

| team =

| number =

| position = First baseman / Designated hitter

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|5|19}}

| birth_place = Incheon, South Korea

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 5

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

| statyear = 2023 season

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .234

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 67

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 238

| teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2016}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2017}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2018}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2023}})
San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2023}})

}}

{{Infobox Korean name

|hangul = 최지만

|hanja = {{linktext|崔|志|萬}}

|rr = Choe Jiman

|mr = Ch'oe Chiman

}}

Ji-man Choi ({{Korean|hangul=최지만|hanja=崔志萬}}; {{IPA|ko|tɕʰwe̞.dʑi.man}}; born May 19, 1991) is a South Korean professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres.

Career

=Cleveland Guardians=

Choi signed with the Seattle Mariners before the 2010 season and was sent to their AZL affiliate. With the Arizona League Mariners, Choi batted .378 with 23 runs scored, 51 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, one home run, 23 runs batted in (RBI), and 10 stolen bases in 39 games played.{{cite web|title=Ji-Man Choi Minor League Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=choi--001ji-|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 23, 2010}} Amongst league batters, Choi was second in on-base percentage (.459), and slugging percentage (.541).{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Daren|title=Choi named Arizona League MVP|url=http://syracuse.chiefs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100831&content_id=14145956&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp|work=MiLB.com|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=September 23, 2010|date=August 31, 2010}} Choi also played 11 games with the High-A High Desert Mavericks of the California League that season. On August 24, in a game against the Inland Empire 66ers, Choi hit his first and only home run with the Mavericks.{{cite web|title=Choi helps Mavs knock off 66ers|url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/mavs-21339-66ers-san.html|work=Victorville Daily Press|publisher=Freedom Communications, Inc|access-date=September 23, 2010|date=August 24, 2010}} 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 first baseman and 10 as a catcher, committing two errors; and making 39 assists, and 326 putouts. After the season, he was named the Arizona League Most Valuable Player. The Seattle Mariners named Choi as their top position player on their Arizona League affiliate.{{cite news|last=Dybas|first=Todd|title=Mariners hand out Minor League Awards to Poythress, Pineda|url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/baseball/archives/221808.asp|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|publisher=Hearst Seattle Media, LLC|access-date=September 23, 2010|date=September 17, 2010}}

Choi played for the Jackson Generals of the Double-A Southern League in 2013. He was named to the World Team roster of the All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|last=Johns|first=Greg|title=First baseman Choi added to Futures roster|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130702&content_id=52465768¬ebook_id=52466346&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea|work=MLB.com|access-date=April 18, 2014|date=July 2, 2013}} Choi was added to the Mariners 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.{{cite web|last=Johns|first=Greg|title=Mariners add four to 40-man roster before deadline|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mariners-add-four-to-40-man-roster-before-deadline?ymd=20131120&content_id=64085186&vkey=news_mlb|work=MLB.com|access-date=April 18, 2014|date=November 20, 2013}} On April 17, 2014, Choi was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for methandienone.{{cite news|title=Seattle 1B Choi banned 50 games for positive test|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=10799136|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 18, 2014|date=April 17, 2014}}

Choi sustained a fractured fibula in the first game of Mariners' spring training 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 when the Mariners re-added left-hander Edgar Olmos.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/mariners-designate-ji-man-choi-for-assignment.html|title=Mariners Designate Ji-Man Choi For Assignment|date=March 5, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2016}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

File:Ji-Man Choi on July 10,2016.jpg

On November 24, 2015, Choi signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-nov-21-27/|title=Minor League Transactions: Nov. 21-27|first=Matt|last=Eddy|work=Baseball America|date=December 1, 2015|access-date=December 1, 2015}} On December 10, the Los Angeles Angels (then known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) selected Choi from the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-rule-5-guerra-choi-20151210-story.html|title=Angels expect Rule 5 picks Deolis Guerra and Ji-Man Choi to make big-league team|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 10, 2015|access-date=July 9, 2016}}

Choi made the Angels' Opening Day roster,{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-report-20160405-story.html|title=Ji-Man Choi ready to show off his quirks|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=July 9, 2016}} and he made his major league debut on April 5, 2016. Choi was designated for assignment by the Angels on May 11. On May 15, Choi cleared waivers and accepted an outright to the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/732077449396129792|title=Alden Gonzalez on Twitter|access-date=July 9, 2016}} 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.{{cite web |last=Monagan |first=Matt |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/ji-man-choi-hits-first-homer-gets-silent-treatment-high-fives-invisible-friends- |title=Ji-Man Choi got the silent treatment after his first home run, so he high-fived his imaginary friends | MLB.com |publisher=MLB.com |date=2016-07-19 |access-date=2017-07-05}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/212201398/angels-agree-to-terms-with-of-ben-revere/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224095423/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/212201398/angels-agree-to-terms-with-of-ben-revere/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2016|title=Angels agree to terms with OF Ben Revere|work=MLB.com|date=December 23, 2016|access-date=December 23, 2016}}

=New York Yankees=

On January 14, 2017, Choi signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2017/01/16/0702000000AEN20170116001100315.html|title=S. Korean signs with Yankees, with spring training invitation|work=Yonhap News Agency|date=January 16, 2017|access-date=January 31, 2017}} At the end of spring training he was assigned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/wade-choi-and-refsnyder-lead-scranton-wb-in-win/article_83015b2b-b708-51cc-9224-d9685b1f3634.html |title=Wade, Choi and Refsnyder lead Scranton/WB in win |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516232858/http://www.dailyprogress.com/wade-choi-and-refsnyder-lead-scranton-wb-in-win/article_83015b2b-b708-51cc-9224-d9685b1f3634.html |archive-date=May 16, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The Yankees promoted Choi to the major leagues on July 4.{{cite web|last=Tasch |first=Justin |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-dfa-chris-carter-call-ji-man-choi-article-1.3300926 |title=Yankees DFA Chris Carter again, call up Ji-Man Choi |date=July 5, 2017 |publisher=NY Daily News |access-date=2017-07-05}} In his first game with the Yankees, he hit a {{convert|457|ft|adj=on}} two-run home run.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/south-korea-first-baseman-ji-man-choi-homers-in-yanks-debut/2017/07/05/6e3fefc0-61b6-11e7-80a2-8c226031ac3f_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706064832/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/south-korea-first-baseman-ji-man-choi-homers-in-yanks-debut/2017/07/05/6e3fefc0-61b6-11e7-80a2-8c226031ac3f_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-07-06|title=South Korea first baseman Ji-Man Choi homers in Yanks' debut|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2017-07-05}} Choi was designated for assignment on July 19, and assigned outright to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on July 23.{{cite web |title=Ji-Man Choi Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/ji-man-choi-596847 |website=mlb.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP. |access-date=19 May 2022}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On January 15, 2018, Choi signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. His contract was purchased by the Brewers on March 28, and he was assigned to the Opening Day roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-ji-man-choi-makes-opening-day-roster/|title=Brewers' Ji-Man Choi: Makes Opening Day roster|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=March 28, 2018}} After an assignment to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 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.{{cite web |last1=McCalvy |first1=Adam |title=Choi rejoins Crew, homers in 1st at-bat |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ji-man-choi-homers-in-1st-at-bat-vs-twins-c277294882 |website=mlb.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP. |access-date=19 May 2022}} On June 9, Choi hit his first career grand slam as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning of a Brewers-Phillies game.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ji-man-choi-hits-first-career-grand-slam-c280517472|title=Choi's 1st career grand slam lifts 1st-place Crew|first=Joe|last=Bloss|date=June 9, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2020|work=MLB.com}} It was the Milwaukee Brewers' first grand slam of 2018.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

File:Choi (50329719638) (cropped).jpg

One day after his grand slam with the Brewers, Choi was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for infielder Brad Miller and cash considerations.{{cite web |url=https://wktysports.com/2018/06/10/day-after-ji-man-chois-grand-slam-helps-brewers-get-win-the-1b-of-is-traded-to-rays/|title=Day after Ji-Man Choi's grand slam helps Brewers get win, the 1B/OF is traded to Rays|agency=Associated Press|date=June 10, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2020|work=WKTY}} He was immediately optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. 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 of the Cleveland Indians.{{Cite web|title=Ji-Man Choi's walkoff home run lifts Rays past Indians|url=https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/2018/09/10/ji-man-chois-walkoff-home-run-lifts-rays-past-indians/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Tampa Bay Times}} In 49 games for the Rays, Choi hit .269 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs.{{cite web |title=Ji-Man Choi Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/choiji01.shtml |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference, LLC. |access-date=19 May 2022}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Tampa Bay Rays' Ji-Man Choi delivers walk-off homer to beat Yankees|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2019/09/25/tampa-bay-rays-ji-man-choi-delivers-walk-off-homer-to-beat-yankees/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Tampa Bay Times}} In the postseason, he had three hits in 23 at-bats, recording one solo home run.{{Cite web|title=Ji-Man Choi Postseason Batting Game Logs|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=choiji01&t=b&year=|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Rays were defeated by the Houston Astros in the 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.{{Cite web|title=Why the Yankees should worry about Ji-Man Choi, the most fun player left in the postseason|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/yankees-rays-ji-man-choi-mlb-postseason/6hwjkvihalz11trxzoe1kev2n|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.sportingnews.com}}

On July 26, 2020, Choi made his first appearance as a switch hitter in his career, batting right-handed twice against left-handed Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Kay. In his second appearance against Kay, he hit a home run.{{cite web |title=Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Homers right-handed |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-ji-man-choi-homers-right-handed/ |website=CBS Sports|date=July 26, 2020 }} Choi ended the year batting .230/.331/.410 with 3 home runs in 42 games. In game one of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, he hit a two-run home run against Gerrit Cole. This was his third home run against Cole in 2020, improving his career numbers to 10-for-19 with four home runs against him.{{Cite web|title=Choi continues ownage of Yankees ace Cole|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ji-man-choi-hits-home-run-off-gerrit-cole|access-date=2020-10-19|website=MLB.com}} In Game 2 of the 2020 World Series, Choi singled to right field, becoming the first Korean player to record a hit in the World Series.{{Cite web|title=Choi Ji-man is first Korean to pick up a World Series hit|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/10/22/sports/Baseball/world-series-mlb-choi-jiman/20201022160500422.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=October 22, 2020 }}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/arbtracker2022|title=Arbitration Tracker For 2022|access-date=March 23, 2022|website=MLBTradeRumors}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On November 10, 2022, Choi was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitcher Jack Hartman.{{cite news |title=Pirates acquire 1B Ji-man Choi in trade with Rays |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34997800/pirates-acquire-1b-ji-man-choi-trade-rays |access-date=November 11, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=November 10, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=delos Santos |first1=Justice |title=Pirates get 1B Ji-Man Choi in trade with Rays |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ji-man-choi-traded-to-pirates |access-date=November 11, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=November 10, 2022}}

On April 19, 2023, it was announced that Choi would miss at least eight weeks with a left Achilles strain.{{cite web|title=Pirates' Ji-Man Choi: Sidelined at least eight weeks|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-ji-man-choi-sidelined-at-least-eight-weeks/|access-date=2023-04-23|website=cbssports.com|date=April 19, 2023 |language=en}} He was activated from the injured list on July 7.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Ji-Man Choi: ActIvated from 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-ji-man-choi-activated-from-60-day-il/amp/|access-date=July 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=San Diego Padres=

On August 1, 2023, Choi and Rich Hill were traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Alfonso Rivas, Estuar Suero, and Jackson Wolf.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-trade-deadline-padres-acquire-lefty-rich-hill-first-baseman-ji-man-choi-in-five-player-swap-with-pirates/|first=R. J.|last=Anderson|title=MLB trade deadline: Padres acquire lefty Rich Hill, first baseman Ji-Man Choi in five-player swap with Pirates|website=CBSSports.com|date=August 2023 }} After going hitless in seven games for the Padres, Choi was placed on the injured list with a left rib strain on August 14.{{Cite web|title=Padres' Ji-Man Choi: Ticketed for injured list|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-ji-man-choi-ticketed-for-injured-list/|access-date=September 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 14, 2023 |language=en}} On September 5, he began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.{{Cite web|title=Padres' Ji-Man Choi: Begins rehab assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-ji-man-choi-begins-rehab-assignment/|access-date=September 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 5, 2023 |language=en}} However, that day, Choi suffered a Lisfranc fracture after fouling a ball off of his right foot.{{Cite web|title=Padres' Ji-Man Choi: Fractures ankle in Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-ji-man-choi-fractures-ankle-in-triple-a/|access-date=September 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 6, 2023 |language=en}} Despite the injury, Choi resumed his rehab the next week and was activated from the injured list on September 15.{{Cite web|title=Padres' Ji-Man Choi: Activated from IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-ji-man-choi-activated-from-il/amp/|access-date=September 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} 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 that included an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|title=Mets reportedly sign Ji-Man Choi to split contract with spring training invite|url=https://www.sny.tv/articles/mets-sign-ji-man-choi-split-contract-spring-training-invite|access-date=February 17, 2024|website=sny.tv|language=en}} In 26 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, 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.{{Cite web|title=Mets grant Jiman Choi's request to be released from Triple-A Syracuse|url=https://sny.tv/articles/mets-grant-ji-man-choi-releas-triple-a-syracuse|access-date=June 1, 2024|website=sny.tv|language=en}}

After going unsigned for the 2025 MLB season, Choi returned to South Korea in May to begin his compulsory military service. He plans to enter the KBO League in 2027.{{cite news|last=Topkin|first=Marc|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2025/05/04/former-ray-ji-man-choi-went-home-korea-new-type-uniform/|title=Former Ray Ji-Man Choi goes home to Korea, and a new type of uniform|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=May 4, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}}