Major League Baseball

Pittsburgh Pirates: Jung Ho Kang Sentenced for DUI in South Korea

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:08 a.m. ET

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Fansided, Joe Piazza/FanSided via Call to the Pen

Almost exactly three months ago, Pittsburgh Pirates SS/3B Jung Ho Kang was arrested in South Korea for DUI. On Thursday, he received his sentence.

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According to a report by Jee-Ho Yoo of Yonhap News, Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang has been sentenced to eight months in prison. Kang fled the scene of a DUI accident on Dec. 2, 2016, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .084. In Korea, the legal BAC limit is .05.

At a glance, that eight-month prison sentence would presumably cost the Pirates an entire season of Kang's contract. However, the sentence is suspended for two years, thus allowing Kang to play out the remaining guaranteed years of his deal with the Pirates.

With the court ruling determined, Kang is now cleared to apply for his work visa. Pirates team president Frank Coonelly  has issued the following statement:

As Coonelly pointed out, Kang will be unable to join his teammates until he secures that work visa. Despite the seriousness of having three separate DUI arrests, Coonelly has, at least publicly, refrained from condemning the Korean slugger.

Of course, it is yet to be determined if Major League Baseball will choose to discipline Kang. Last month it was reported that he will participate in a recommended alcohol treatment program. This was not a requirement, however it behooves Kang to be cooperative and compliant with the league. This is likely his best shot at avoiding a suspension.

On the field, Kang has plenty of value. Across two Major League seasons, he has compiled a .273/.355/.483 batting line to go along with 36 home runs, 120 RBI, and 105 runs scored in 837 career plate appearances. He has accumulated 6.2 fWAR and holds a career wRC+ of 131. By that standard, Kang has been 31% better from an offensive standpoint than the average third baseman. Surely, the Pittsburgh Pirates will try to work with MLB to avoid any lengthy suspension for Jung Ho Kang.

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