Seoul High ace, Dodgers minor leaguer of the year returns after nine months to throw three scoreless innings

Choi Hyun-il, who was named the best pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system in 2021, has returned from injury. He pitched three innings in his first appearance in 275 days.

Choi pitched in relief for the Dodgers’ Single-A Great Lakes Loons against the Peoria Chiefs (of the St. Louis Cardinals) at Dodger Park in Peoria, Illinois, on 26 June. He pitched the fourth and sixth innings in relief of starter Yoenis Castro, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three.토토사이트

After ending the fourth with a triple play, he ran into trouble in the top of the fifth with a 2-0 lead. He gave up a leadoff double to Jimmy Crooks. Choi struck out Jeremy Rivas on a fly ball and then got two grounders to end the threat. He gave up a leadoff double in the sixth, but was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run.

MILB.com, the official minor league website, reported on the game and praised Choi’s pitching as he emerged from the rehabilitation tunnel, saying, “Hyun-il Choi shined in his first start of the season.”

Choi went 8-6 with a 3.55 ERA in 24 games between Single-A and High Single-A in 2021. He was named the Dodgers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The winner of that award was Miguel Vargas, who now anchors the Dodgers’ infield.

In March 2022, he was ranked 28th overall and 12th pitcher in the Dodgers’ prospect rankings. The MLB.com prospect evaluation described him as a starting pitcher with a fastball, changeup, and good command.

At the time, MLB.com wrote: “Choi is a pitcher who relies on his velocity and command more than his fastball. His 1.5 walks per nine innings last year ranked at least ninth. His three-pitch arsenal with plus command keeps the ball where he wants it. He has the stuff to settle into a low-end starting rotation.”

He spent much of last year rehabbing. He was placed on the disabled list with elbow soreness after pitching three innings in a Single-A game on April 9. He returned to the disabled list on August 24 after pitching one inning in one game in the Arizona Fall League. He returned 275 days later with three scoreless innings.