Ji Man Choi Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1567
AVG	.234
OBP	.338
SLG	.426
HR	67

Full name Ji Man Choi
Born 05/19/1991 in Incheon, South Korea
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 260 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Dong San
Debut 04/05/2016

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Choi always has been known as a hit-first player--he moved off catcher to first base in 2011--whose lack of power limits his chances of being an everyday big leaguer. So when hit with a 50-game suspension early in 2014 for using a performance-enhancing substance, he faced further skepticism. Upon his return from his suspension, Choi didn't really assuage that criticism by slugging .392. He is a pure hitter who can line the ball to all fields with a short, direct, lefthanded stroke, but he doesn't have much natural loft in his swing. His best-case scenario is as a James Loney-type offensive first baseman, but as a fringe-average defender, he lacks Loney's defensive value. The Mariners tried Choi in left field, but he's not a viable option out there. Choi will head back to Triple-A in 2015 to try to prove his doubters wrong.
Choi had a breakout season in 2013, starting at high Class A High Desert, making stops at Double-A Jackson and the Futures Game along the way. He ended the year at Triple-A Tacoma. All of that happened while he was making the conversion from catcher to first baseman, and he wound up being protected on the 40-man roster in November. Choi made a splash in 2010 when was the MVP of the Rookie-level Arizona League, but his career stagnated until he became a full-time first baseman and also put together a better plan of attack in the batter's box. Already possessing a good eye, Choi has become even more selective and laid off the pitches he could not drive. He struggles with lefthanders and lacks profile power for a first baseman, instead spraying line drives to the gaps at his best. Choi fits the second-division regular description and is in an organization that continues to chase power at first base. He'll likely man the position at Tacoma in 2014 unless he's needed in Seattle.

Minor League Top Prospects

Choi's pro debut was a spectacular success. He led the AZL in batting (.378) and OPS (1.000), won the MVP award and hit well in an 11-game cameo in the high Class A California League. Choi's strengths at the plate are his ability to use the whole field with good gap-to-gap power and his solid on-base skills. His speed is below average, but he used his smarts to steal 10 bases in 11 attempts. "He's a student of the game," Bottin said. "That's what is going to be his plus side as he gets older and goes up in the higher levels. He understands the game." Choi signed as a catcher and showed some skills behind the plate, throwing out six of 12 basestealers. He spent more time at first base, though his doesn't have the raw power desired at that position. The Mariners plan to develop him at both spots.

Career Transactions

Syracuse Mets released DH Ji Man Choi.
Syracuse Mets activated DH Ji Man Choi from the 7-day injured list.
Syracuse Mets placed DH Ji Man Choi on the 7-day injured list.
DH Ji Man Choi assigned to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets signed free agent DH Ji Man Choi to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
DH Ji Man Choi elected free agency.
San Diego Padres activated DH Ji Man Choi from the 10-day injured list.
San Diego Padres sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas.
San Diego Padres placed DH Ji Man Choi on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 12, 2023. Left ribcage strain.
San Diego Padres activated DH Ji Man Choi.
Pittsburgh Pirates traded LHP Rich Hill and DH Ji Man Choi to San Diego Padres for LHP Jackson Wolf, 1B Alfonso Rivas and OF Estuar Suero.
Pittsburgh Pirates traded LHP Rich Hill and DH Ji Man Choi to San Diego Padres for LHP Jackson Wolf, 1B Alfonso Rivas and OF Estuar Suero.
Pittsburgh Pirates activated DH Ji Man Choi from the 60-day injured list.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent DH Ji Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve.
Tampa Bay Rays traded DH Ji-Man Choi to Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Jack Hartman.
Pittsburgh Pirates activated DH Ji Man Choi.
Tampa Bay Rays activated DH Ji-Man Choi.
Tampa Bay Rays activated DH Ji-Man Choi from the 10-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed DH Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 28, 2022. Loose bodies in right elbow.
Tampa Bay Rays activated DH Ji-Man Choi.
Tampa Bay Rays sent DH Ji-Man Choi on a rehab assignment to FCL Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays placed DH Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list. Left hamstring strain.
Tampa Bay Rays activated DH Ji-Man Choi from the 10-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed DH Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list. Left groin strain.
Tampa Bay Rays activated DH Ji-Man Choi.
Tampa Bay Rays sent DH Ji-Man Choi on a rehab assignment to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays placed DH Ji-Man Choi on the 10 day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays activated 1B Ji-Man Choi from the 10-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 13, 2020. Left hamstring strain.
Tampa Bay Rays activated 1B Ji-Man Choi from the 10-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list. Left ankle sprain.
Tampa Bay Rays activated 1B Ji-Man Choi from the restricted list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the restricted list.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled 1B Ji-Man Choi from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays traded cash and 1B Brad Miller to Milwaukee Brewers for 1B Ji-Man Choi.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned 1B Ji-Man Choi to Durham Bulls.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned 1B Ji-Man Choi to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled Ji-Man Choi from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned 1B Ji-Man Choi to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled Ji-Man Choi from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned 1B Ji-Man Choi to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of Ji-Man Choi from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent 1B Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
1B Ji-Man Choi elected free agency.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders activated 1B Ji-Man Choi from the 7-day disabled list.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to September 8, 2017.
New York Yankees sent 1B Ji-Man Choi outright to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees designated 1B Ji-Man Choi for assignment.
New York Yankees selected the contract of 1B Ji-Man Choi from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders activated 1B Ji-Man Choi from the 7-day disabled list.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the 7-day disabled list.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees signed free agent 1B Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
1B Ji-Man Choi elected free agency.
Los Angeles Angels sent 1B Ji-Man Choi outright to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels designated 1B Ji-Man Choi for assignment.
Los Angeles Angels recalled 1B Ji-Man Choi from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned 1B Ji-Man Choi to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of Ji-Man Choi from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels sent LF Ji-Man Choi outright to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels designated LF Ji-Man Choi for assignment.
Los Angeles Angels claimed LF Ji-Man Choi off waivers from Baltimore Orioles.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles signed free agent 1B Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract.
1B Ji-Man Choi elected free agency.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Estrellas de Oriente.
Tacoma Rainiers activated 1B Ji-Man Choi from the 7-day disabled list.
Tacoma Rainiers sent 1B Ji-Man Choi on a rehab assignment to AZL Mariners.
Tacoma Rainiers placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the 7-day disabled list.
Seattle Mariners sent 1B Ji-Man Choi outright to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners designated 1B Ji-Man Choi for assignment.
OF Ji-Man Choi assigned to Tigres de Aragua.
Seattle Mariners recalled 1B Ji-Man Choi from Tacoma Rainiers.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Tacoma Rainiers from Jackson Generals.
Seattle Mariners reassigned 1B Ji-Man Choi to the minor leagues.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Jackson Generals from Tacoma Rainiers.
Tacoma Rainiers placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the restricted list.
Seattle Mariners placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the restricted list.
Seattle Mariners optioned 1B Ji-Man Choi to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners selected the contract of Ji-Man Choi from Tacoma Rainiers.
Ji-Man Choi assigned to Tacoma Rainiers from Jackson Generals.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to World Futures.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to California League All-Stars.
Ji-Man Choi assigned to Jackson Generals from High Desert Mavericks.
Ji-Man Choi assigned to High Desert Mavericks from Clinton LumberKings.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to World All-Stars.
Adelaide Bite activated 1B Ji-Man Choi.
1B Ji-Man Choi assigned to Adelaide Bite.
Ji-Man Choi roster status changed by Clinton LumberKings.
Clinton LumberKings placed C Ji-Man Choi on the 7-day disabled list.
C Ji-Man Choi assigned to Clinton LumberKings from Mariners Extended Spring Training.
Ji-Man Choi assigned to Mariners Extended Spring Training.
High Desert Mavericks activated C Ji-Man Choi from the 7-day disabled list.
High Desert Mavericks placed C Ji-Man Choi on the 7-day disabled list.
C Ji-Man Choi assigned to High Desert Mavericks from AZL Mariners.
Ji-Man Choi assigned to AZL Mariners from Seattle Mariners.
Seattle Mariners signed free agent C Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract.