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▲ The Philadelphia Phillies announced on the 24th that they signed right-hander Park Chan-min out of Gwangju High School, agreeing to a $1,205,000 signing bonus (about 1.8 billion KRW). ⓒPhiladelphia Phillies player development department SNS
▲ Christopher Sanchez, who exposed Korea to the gap at the highest level with a five-inning, eight-strikeout, scoreless outing in the WBC quarterfinals
PHILADELPHIA — Park Chan-min, the Gwangju High School right-hander who bypassed the KBO draft to chase a major-league dream, found a mentor after arriving in Philadelphia. Meeting Christopher Sanchez — the veteran who stifled Korea during their WBC meeting — reinforced Park’s belief that he can reach the big leagues.
Park finalized his deal with the Phillies on the 24th (Korean time). The club’s player development department posted, “Contract signed! Welcome to the Phillies family, Park Chan-min,” and released photos of him in a Phillies uniform.
His signing bonus was $1,205,000 — a notable investment and the largest amount Philadelphia has ever paid for an international amateur pitcher. The Phillies reportedly even replenished their international signing pool via trades with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies to free up the funds for Park’s bonus.
Philadelphia’s international scouting director called the move “a great opportunity to sign the top pitcher from a market where we haven’t traditionally been active (Korea) and to raise the Phillies’ profile.”
▲ The Philadelphia Phillies announced on the 24th that they signed right-hander Park Chan-min out of Gwangju High School, agreeing to a $1,205,000 signing bonus (about 1.8 billion KRW). ⓒPhiladelphia Phillies player development department SNS
After signing, Park stayed in Philadelphia to acclimate and had the chance to meet his idol, Sanchez, in person.
The Athletic reported Park inked the deal the same day Sanchez pushed his remarkable scoreless streak to 37 2/3 innings. Scouts told the outlet the signing carried extra meaning for Park because he’s a devoted Sanchez fan. Park also said he was impressed by Phillies fans who stuck around through cold, rainy weather to support the team.
Park got a chance to pick Sanchez’s brain — asking about his changeup — and also spoke with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, seeking advice from the veteran arms.
The Athletic noted that even if Park begins his pro journey in the minors, he’ll likely cherish the memory of signing his contract and watching Sanchez — one of the game’s top pitchers — solidify his standing on a rainy Philadelphia day. “Everything started right here,” the piece concluded.
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