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Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Yonathan Perlaza has signed a one-year deal worth $1 million with the Hanwha Eagles, a team in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).
🚨BREAKING
— KBO in English (@KBO_ENG) November 19, 2023
Yonathan Perlaza to the Hanwha Eagles!
Perlaza is 25 years old and will be the youngest foreigner in the #KBO!
In AAA, Perlaza batted .284 with a .923 OPS
To add, Perlaza had 23 HR and 13 SB
What are your thoughts on this signing? pic.twitter.com/tlNfeKd7zE
Perlaza first signed with the organization as an international free agent in 2016 and he gained significant momentum in his development over the past two seasons. He was knocking on the door of a big-league promotion by the end of 2023 after putting up big numbers. For the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, Perlaza posted an impressive 23 home runs, 85 RBI, and a slash line of .284/.389/.534 with 100 runs scored. The switch-hitting slugger also showed great plate discipline by collecting 76 walks.
Bottom of the 9th. Bases load. Tie game.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 18, 2023
In the dream scenario, Yonathan Perlaza walks it off for the @IowaCubs after being down, 11-6, in the 8th! pic.twitter.com/6fh4BdqZND
Unfortunately, Perlaza hasn't played good enough defense to warrant a big-league callup, and the corner outfield positions are blocked by Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki for at least the next two years. Perlaza would also be a fine designated hitter, but Christopher Morel currently holds that position so Perlaza's path to the big leagues was difficult with the Cubs because of a crowded 40-man roster.
The 25-year-old became a minor league free agent on November 6, and he will be the youngest player in the KBO this year. With the talent he has at such a young age, I'd expect to see Perlaza back in Major League Baseball at some point in the future but this is an opportunity for him to play high-level baseball every day while making more money than he ever has.
It's bittersweet because Perlaza seemed to enjoy his time with the organization and he was hoping for a big-league call-up when the major league team saw Cody Bellinger and Suzuki hit the IL earlier this year. But the future seems bright for Perlaza and maybe one day we'll see him in a Cubs uniform again.