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Pirates Prospect Ji-hwan Bae Found Guilty Of Assaulting Former Girlfriend

By Jeff Todd | October 15, 2018 at 9:59pm CDT

Pirates prospect Ji-hwan Bae has been found guilty by a South Korean court of assaulting his former girlfriend. Naver Sports reported the news, with Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic covering the story in further detail (subscription link).

Allegations arose earlier this year against Bae, a talented 19-year-old infielder, relating to a New Year’s Eve incident in 2017. The Pittsburgh organization reported the matter to MLB officials, who did not impose a period of administrative leave while investigating the matter. Bae proceeded to play in 35 games for the Pirates’ Gulf Coast League affiliate.

Despite the determination of guilt for his actions against former girlfriend Seul-Gi Kim, Bae will evidently not serve a prison sentence. Indeed, he’ll only be ordered to pay Kim 2 million won. That translates to less than $2K USD, a relative pittance for a player who received significant paydays when he signed with the Braves and — after he was made a free agent due to international signing improprieties, including with regard to his own situation — with the Pirates. Kim tells The Athletic that she plans to donate that and other money provided to her by Bae.

It seems that Kim has yet to be contacted by MLB investigators, though surely there’ll be some effort to bring the matter to a resolution from the league’s perspective. Though not formally covered by the MLB-MLBPA Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Policy, minor-league players such as Bae are subject to a similar rules regime through policies instituted by the MLB commissioner’s office. He could theoretically face a suspension, fine, or other disciplinary measures from the league.

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Pittsburgh Pirates Jihwan Bae

Offseason Outlook: Tampa Bay Rays
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29 Comments

  1. realgone2

    7 years ago

    Damn Pirates haven’t had luck with Korean players and criminal activity.

    3
    Reply
    • RunDMC

      7 years ago

      You can say the same for ATL with international prospects, this is now the 2nd found guilty (Olivera) of domestic assault.

      2
      Reply
    • dimitrios in la

      7 years ago

      I imagine the penalty from MLB will be more significant than the one in Korea.

      Reply
    • Strauss

      7 years ago

      Pirates do a great job in scouting character players.

      1
      Reply
  2. xabial

    7 years ago

    Guy had it all: awesome last name. $1.25m bonus from Pit. He’s 19? One has to wonder if his career’s over before began, since he’s not an All-Star accused/found guilty of assault.

    1
    Reply
    • lowtalker1

      7 years ago

      Horrible last name

      Reply
      • Gwynning's Anal Lover

        7 years ago

        When Bae says, your name is so stupid Bae. (Insert Meme image here)

        Reply
    • dimitrios in la

      7 years ago

      How do you think his not being an All-Star impacts his situation?

      Reply
      • xabial

        7 years ago

        Talent matters. If you have the talent, you’ll get another opportunity. “All Star” wasn’t meant to be taken literally, could also be former all-star, all-star talent. Many examples of these guys, given fresh starts, despite the off-field cloud that hang (hung?) over their heads, often with new teams. And then you have Hector Olivera, who didnt prove worthy of backlash for signing him. Out of the league since. Talent above all else.

        1
        Reply
      • xabial

        7 years ago

        If Pirates cut him, he’s 19 in Rookie ball, as such, too young, raw to predict. If cut, don’t think he faces great odds at MLB comeback? his talent level isn’t guaranteed to make up for PR hit for new club.

        My speculation: Long odds of returning, assuming Pirates cut him, due to being so young, and serious nature of his crime. If he was a 19 year old All Star (prob youngest all star ever) many teams wouldn’t think twice before trading for him, again, assuming Pirates cut bait.

        1
        Reply
        • jimmyz

          7 years ago

          He won’t be released by the Pirates. He has plenty of talent and was/is typically compared by national outlets as a lefty batting Trae Turner. Hence the reason he received over a million dollars twice to sign as a teenager, once by Atlanta and once by Pittsburgh.

          1
          Reply
    • TheTrotsky

      7 years ago

      Bae is his first name.

      Reply
      • Sheep8

        7 years ago

        Bae is his surname, and his name is westernized to place his first-middle hyphenated, the last name…in Korea it would have been Bae Ji-Hwan

        Reply
  3. SoCalStuntman

    7 years ago

    Hey Pirates, get a clue!!!!

    Reply
  4. bobtillman

    7 years ago

    Can’t see any way the Pirates keep the guy, even if he’s only an Milb-er. This isn’t 10 years ago; many, many fans know all about their (and other teams’) prospects.

    Eat the 1.5M, cut him loose……they’d be doing themselves a favor.

    1
    Reply
  5. xabial

    7 years ago

    Bae signed with Braves for 300K, but had a reported under the table deal to pay him an extra 600K, and one of the 13 prospects Braves had to give up. Trouble seems to follow this guy. Pirates then signed him for $1.25M.

    Guess the “left-handed version of Trea Turner” (less power) will never realize his potential as Trea Turner.

    2
    Reply
  6. bwick17

    7 years ago

    Girl out to get his money thats it

    Reply
    • ellisburks

      7 years ago

      Other than a beating by a pos of a human she is not taking any of his money and donating it. So I guess that shoots down your theory.

      Reply
    • User 4245925809

      7 years ago

      Get a life and read the article.

      1
      Reply
    • Gwynning's Anal Lover

      7 years ago

      When Bae says, I’m gonna get all Baes money.

      Reply
  7. mattingly23

    7 years ago

    I’m guessing she’s not his Bae anymore

    6
    Reply
  8. HalosHeavenJJ

    7 years ago

    Deserves a beating himself. Hopefully he matures. He’s 19.

    But I wouldn’t want him repping my team.

    1
    Reply
  9. halos101

    7 years ago

    Get him outta baseball

    Reply
  10. greatd

    7 years ago

    Smoke got my eyes looking Korean was a debate a bit back but
    Jung Ho Kang / Ji-Hwan Bae
    really don’t do a good job at promoting a good image of them…

    2
    Reply
  11. HarveyD82

    7 years ago

    the only thing going for him is his age. 19. he might bounce around and land a job somewhere. marlins.

    Reply
  12. bballblk

    7 years ago

    Bae lost his bae.

    Reply
  13. mlb1225

    7 years ago

    When Bae decides to hurt his Bae

    Reply
  14. Hannibal8us

    7 years ago

    The Pirates won’t cut him, if they stuck with Jung Ho they’ll stick with a 19 year old with a mountain of potential that they paid quite a sum for. I’m interested in what his suspension will be, my guess is between 40 and 80 games.

    Reply
  15. Babe_Adams

    7 years ago

    Bae has some years ahead of him before the Pirates would consider bringing him to the majors. See if the kid can turn himself around.

    Reply

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