After playing at Jamsil Stadium… ‘To SD’ Go Woo-suk met again at pitcher-friendly home stadium

Ko Woo-suk (25) is wearing a uniform for the San Diego Padres. For Ko, he will be able to show off his skills to the fullest at the pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

The San Diego club said on the 4th (Korea Standard Time) that it has signed a two-year contract with right-handed relief pitcher Ko Woo-suk. The club left a welcome message in Korean, saying, “Ko Woo-suk, welcome to San Diego.”

The San Diego club did not disclose the total amount of the contract with Ko. Earlier, local media reported the size of Ko’s contract as a two-year contract with a total of 4.5 million U.S. dollars.

According to Dennis Lin, a U.S. media outlet, the Athletic, Ko will receive 1.75 million dollars in annual salary in 2024, his first season in the Major League. His annual salary for the 2025 season will be 2.25 million dollars, up 500,000 dollars.

An option contract for the 2026 season is also included. If Ko plays for San Diego for one more year, he will receive $3 million (about W3.9 billion). If the extension contract option is not implemented, San Diego will have to pay Ko $500,000 (about W700 million). Accordingly, Ko’s guarantee amount is $4.5 million.

As a result, Ko will become the seventh player in the KBO league to advance to the Major League through a posting system (closed competitive bidding) after Ryu Hyun-jin, Kang Jung-ho, Park Byung-ho, Kim Kwang-hyun, Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo. He is the first bullpen pitcher.

To Ko, San Diego is the best condition in many ways. First of all, I am sharing a room with “Korean Leaguer” Kim Ha-sung. Kim Ha-sung is the best infielder in the Major League, boasting the best defense ever as he won the National League Gold Glove in the 2023 season. On top of that, as a Korean leaguer, I can send generous advice to Ko.

In addition, Ko will use pitcher-friendly Petco Park as his home ground. Petco Park is a large stadium, extending 102 meters to the left pole, 98 meters to the right pole, and 121 meters to the center fence. Notably, the depth of right-center and left-center is as wide as 119 meters.

Petco Park is a stadium built especially near the coast. It is famous for not being able to stretch out the ball well due to the salty wind. From the 2021 season to the 2023 season, Petco Park’s park factor stood at 95 (average 100), ranking 29th out of 30 teams.

In detail, they ranked 25th in the hit park factor, 24th in the double park factor, 29th in the triple park factor, and 21st in the home run park factor. Everything is at a disadvantage for batters, and everything is at a disadvantage for pitchers. It is expected to serve as a strong ally for Ko Woo-seok, who started his major league challenge. 마카오토토

Ko Woo-suk, who wore the LG Twins uniform and used Jamsil Baseball Stadium as his home stadium in the KBO League, also encountered a pitcher-friendly home stadium in the Major League. Attention is focusing on whether Ko will be able to display bold pitching by taking advantage of his home stadium at Petco Park.