Um Hyung-chan makes Korean baseball history

Kansas City Royals prospect Um Hyung-chan has become the first Korean catcher to play at Double-A in the U.S. minor leagues.

Um got the start as catcher for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals against the Frisco RoughRiders at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas, on Wednesday. The official player development social media account for the Royals noted that Um is the first Korean to catch at the Double-A level.

Um, 22, signed with the Royals out of Gyeonggi Commercial High School in Seoul in July 2022.

His father, Um Jong-soo, was a catcher for the Atlanta Braves' Class A-Advanced affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2001, appearing in 24 games as a 27-year-old. The Ums are the first Korean father-son duo to sign with a major league organization.

The junior Um started in the Rookie League in 2023, the lowest rung in the minor leagues, and reached Single-A in 2024 while also spending time in the Australian Baseball League.

Um made it to the next level, High-A, in July this year and got the call-up to Double-A earlier this week.

In 76 games at two levels this season before reaching Double-A, Um batted .243/.358/.398 with nine home runs, 53 RBIs and nine steals. Throughout his minor league career, Um has thrown out 24 percent of would-be base stealers.

Last year, Um was ranked 29th among all Royals prospects by MLB.com. Scouts have raved about his efficient swing and line-drive power at the plate, with potential for more extra-base power as he gets older. Defensively, Um has been praised for his athleticism behind the plate, above-average arm strength and the foundation to grow into a major league catcher.

Yonhap