Give up? Not yet! Overcoming the shock of Ko Woo-seok's release, signing a minor league contract with Detroit. Resuming the challenge to the big leagues

Jun 24, 2025

A game between the San Diego Padres and the LG Twins at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 18th. San Diego won 5-4. After the game, players from both teams, including Ko Woo-seok, Oh Ji-hwan, and Lim Chan-kyu, are taking commemorative photos. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.3.18/

It's not time to give up yet. He is young and full of energy. Even the ball was coming to life. It's time to continue the challenge of your dream.

Ko Woo-seok (26) rose to his feet after overcoming the shock of his release. He will sign a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers to enter the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage and take the mound again in Triple-A games. At one point, there were rumors that he would return to his former team, the LG Twins, who had the right to hold on, but Ko Woo-seok decided to stay in the U.S. for his dream of taking the mound in the Major League.

According to MK Sports reports, Ko Woo-seok arrived in Tullido, Ohio, USA, where the Triple-A Tullido Mud Hens home stadium is located, for a minor league contract with Detroit on the 24th (Korea time). Turrido will play six consecutive home games against Triple-A Charlotte Knights under the Chicago White Sox starting on the 25th. If Ko Woo-seok completes his contract with Detroit, he may take the mound during the six consecutive home games. This is because he is already in a physical condition where he can play normally.

Ko Woo-seok on the mound wearing a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp uniform under Miami. MiLB Broadcast Screen Capture

Ko Woo-seok, a member of the Miami Marlins' Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, was suddenly notified of his release on the 18th. It was quite an unexpected result. First of all, Ko Woo-seok was also a high-paid player in Miami. This year's annual salary is $2.25 million (about 3.06 billion won). He ranked fourth in annual salary in the team and first among bullpen pitchers. It is very rare to easily release a player of this position in the Major League, where ransom means status.

In addition, Ko Woo-seok has been showing a rise in ball power in recent years. Ko Woo-seok, who suffered a fracture in his right index finger during the spring camp earlier this year, continued to pitch his revival after long rehabilitation. Starting with the rookie league last month, Single A, Double A, and Triple A have been coming up step by step in the minor leagues.

Jumbo Shrimp SNS

In particular, after being promoted to Triple-A, he pitched five ⅔ innings in five games (one start), recording an ERA of 1.59 with six hits, five strikeouts, one walk, and one run, raising expectations for a major league call-up. On the 16th, he started against the Rochester Red Wings under the Washington Nationals and pitched well with one hit and one walk in two innings. At this time, the maximum speed of the fastball was taken to 94 miles (about 151.2 kilometers). It was the best pace since entering the U.S. The Major League call-up seemed to be on the horizon.

However, the Miami club suddenly announced the release on the 18th, two days after the match against Rochester. It was an unexpected result for anyone. In this regard, even Ko Woo-seok's former team LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop "It's quite unfortunate." It was a challenge, but it became a bad situation." He also expressed his comfort.

After the release, the possibility of Ko Woo-seok's return to LG has been circulating for a long time. It has already been over a year since Ko Woo-seok was announced as a voluntary dismissal in February 2024, so he can play in the KBO League without any problems. However, if he returns, he must play only as a member of LG, which has the right to hold as a former team.

However, Ko chose a new challenge instead of returning to Korea. When I return to Korea, I can continue my baseball career with a lot of salary in a comfortable environment. But young Ko Woo-suk made a spirited choice. He chose to try again in the minor leagues, where it is unclear whether he will succeed or not, and the environment is poor. It is a difficult choice to make without confidence and spirit. Attention is focusing on how Ko Woo-seok's new challenge will lead to results.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.