The Texas Rangers just added a player who has been compared to Shohei Ohtani.
His name is Kim-sung Joon, who turned 18 last week.
He has been called the ‘Korean Ohtani.’ The Rangers are expected to let him try his hand as a two-way player.
The Dallas Morning News writes that Joon received a signing bonus of slightly more than $1 million, with the deal still pending final paperwork.
The Rangers had a large international bonus pool remaining because they had tried to use the money to sign Roki Sasaki, who ended up with the Dodgers.
MORE: Pope Leo XIV’s MLB fandom takes shocking Cubs-White Sox twist
Joon has opted to skip the KBO Draft, per local news agency Naver Sports, and instead come to Texas.
Ohtani had considered a similar route when he was in Japan, but he first played in NPB before coming to the Angels and then the Dodgers. He wasn’t sure if he’d initially be allowed to be a two-way player.
But with Ohtani paving the way, things could be a little easier for Joon.
The Rangers sure hope he’s got plenty of Ohtani inside of him.
MORE: Why Knicks fans are pumped about the pope announcement
