Sim Jun-seok released by Mets, third time out of minor leagues

Sim Jun-seok, a 22-year-old pitcher, has once again been released from a minor league team, this time by the New York Mets' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. This marks his third release from a professional team.

Sim's performance this season was marred by poor control, as he recorded a 1-0 record with an 8.55 ERA but issued 30 walks and hit five batters in just 20 innings. Last year, while with the Miami Marlins' rookie league team, he also struggled, giving up 31 bases on balls in 13⅓ innings. He was traded to the Marlins in July 2024 after signing a $750,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, having drawn attention for his fastball that reached 160 km/h in high school. After being released by Miami in August 2023, he trained independently before signing with the Mets, only to be released again.

Meanwhile, other South Korean prospects are progressing in the minor leagues. Jang Hyun-seok, a gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, is currently playing in Single-A for the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 3-3 record with a 5.91 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 67 innings. Outfielder Jo Won-bin, who started in the rookie league in 2022, is having a strong season in High-A and Double-A, batting .265 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. Kim Sung-jun, a two-way player who signed with the Texas Rangers for $1.2 million last year, is hitting .303 with 7 home runs and 34 RBIs in the rookie league, and also shows promise as a pitcher with a 1.04 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 8⅔ innings, likely heading for a Single-A promotion next season.