Diamondbacks sign two-way Korean prospect Jun-Sang Eom to deal with $1.5 million signing bonus

Audio By Carbonatix

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks and South Korean two-way prospect Jun-Sang Eom have agreed to a minor league deal during the international signing period that includes a $1.5 million signing bonus.

The team announced the deal on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old shortstop and right-handed pitcher is one of the top amateur prospects in South Korea. He was at Arizona's Chase Field before the D-backs' game against the Los Angeles Angels, taking batting practice and going through infield drills.

Eom still has to graduate from high school in South Korea and expects to join the D-backs' organization before next year's spring training. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder said he'll initially concentrate on playing the infield, but is open to going back to the mound depending on how his career progresses.

Eom was the starting shortstop for the 2025 WBSC South Korea U-18 national team as a 17-year-old and was recognized as one of the ‘Big 3’ high school prospects for the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization rookie draft.

There are three Korean players who have spent time in the big leagues this season, including Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, Braves infielder Ha-Seong Kim and Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim.

___

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this story.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb