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As Jun-Sang Eom launched balls out of Chase Field — one scraping off the batter’s eye, another clearing the overhang to the left of center field — a Diamondbacks evaluator watching the display was asked what kind of grades he put on Eom’s power.
“I’m thinking I’m light right now after watching this,” he joked.
The Diamondbacks officially signed the 18-year-old Korean-born player on Tuesday, June 16, agreeing to a deal that sources said included a $1.5 million bonus. Eom then took batting practice with a group of big leaguers, followed by ground balls alongside shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.
Though they announced him as a “two-way prospect,” the Diamondbacks do not sound as if they plan to develop him as such. They believe in his bat and think he has a chance to stick on the infield, perhaps at shortstop.
Eom was viewed as one of the top amateur players in his country and likely would have been among the top two or three draft picks this fall in the KBO — Korea’s top league — had he not opted to sign with the Diamondbacks.
Listed at 6 feet 1, 205 pounds, Eom has a sturdy frame and used his strength on Tuesday to blast balls out of Chase Field. The Diamondbacks often have their first-round picks from the draft take batting practice on the field on the day they sign; Eom’s performance ranked among the better such displays in recent years, particularly relative to age.
Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-5, 5.46) vs. Angels LHP Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.00).
At Chase Field: Kelly took the loss in Miami last week despite giving up just two runs in six innings in a game the Diamondbacks lost, 2-0. … It served as a nice bounce-back outing after he gave up seven runs in five innings against the Nationals at Chase Field on June 5. … Kelly is averaging just 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 8.1 in his career entering this season. … Kelly faced the Angels once last season, giving up just one run on one hit in five innings. … Detmers struggled badly as a starter in 2024 and spent last year in the bullpen. He is in the rotation now, leading the American League with a strikeout rate of 10.8 per nine innings. … He was dominant in his most recent start, holding the Astros to just one run on one hit in seven innings, walking none and striking out nine. … Detmers averages 94.1 mph with his fastball while getting strong whiff rates on his slider, change-up and curveball.
Wednesday, June 17: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 2.55) vs. Angels LHP Sam Aldegheri (2-1, 2.12).
Thursday, June 18: Off.
Friday, June 19: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11) vs. Twins LHP Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26).
Saturday, June 20: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-5, 5.35) vs. Twins RHP Taj Bradley (5-3, 4.14).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Angels live updates. Korean signee takes BP
Continue reading...
“I’m thinking I’m light right now after watching this,” he joked.
The Diamondbacks officially signed the 18-year-old Korean-born player on Tuesday, June 16, agreeing to a deal that sources said included a $1.5 million bonus. Eom then took batting practice with a group of big leaguers, followed by ground balls alongside shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.
Though they announced him as a “two-way prospect,” the Diamondbacks do not sound as if they plan to develop him as such. They believe in his bat and think he has a chance to stick on the infield, perhaps at shortstop.
Eom was viewed as one of the top amateur players in his country and likely would have been among the top two or three draft picks this fall in the KBO — Korea’s top league — had he not opted to sign with the Diamondbacks.
Listed at 6 feet 1, 205 pounds, Eom has a sturdy frame and used his strength on Tuesday to blast balls out of Chase Field. The Diamondbacks often have their first-round picks from the draft take batting practice on the field on the day they sign; Eom’s performance ranked among the better such displays in recent years, particularly relative to age.
Angels at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-5, 5.46) vs. Angels LHP Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.00).
At Chase Field: Kelly took the loss in Miami last week despite giving up just two runs in six innings in a game the Diamondbacks lost, 2-0. … It served as a nice bounce-back outing after he gave up seven runs in five innings against the Nationals at Chase Field on June 5. … Kelly is averaging just 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 8.1 in his career entering this season. … Kelly faced the Angels once last season, giving up just one run on one hit in five innings. … Detmers struggled badly as a starter in 2024 and spent last year in the bullpen. He is in the rotation now, leading the American League with a strikeout rate of 10.8 per nine innings. … He was dominant in his most recent start, holding the Astros to just one run on one hit in seven innings, walking none and striking out nine. … Detmers averages 94.1 mph with his fastball while getting strong whiff rates on his slider, change-up and curveball.
Coming up
Wednesday, June 17: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 2.55) vs. Angels LHP Sam Aldegheri (2-1, 2.12).
Thursday, June 18: Off.
Friday, June 19: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11) vs. Twins LHP Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26).
Saturday, June 20: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-5, 5.35) vs. Twins RHP Taj Bradley (5-3, 4.14).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Angels live updates. Korean signee takes BP
Continue reading...
