Ko Ching-Hsien Signs With Los Angeles Dodgers
On June 6, ETtoday reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed 17-year-old Taiwanese outfielder 柯敬賢 (Ko Ching-Hsien). Multiple media outlets indicated that the signing bonus is around 750,000 USD. An official signing press conference is set to take place on June 17.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ newest international signing, 柯敬賢 (Ko Ching-Hsien), just crushed a 3-run home run at a high school tournament today. 💪 #MLBTW #Dodgers #TWHSBaseball pic.twitter.com/79p7NP87YU
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) June 7, 2024
Update: Signing Press Conference
On June 17, at the signing press conference, Ko Ching-Hsien revealed that his goal is to make it to the Major League in four years so he can play on the same team as his idol Shohei Ohtani.
When asked by the media why he picked number 91 as his jersey number, Ko Ching-Hsien said he selected that number to remember his father, who passed away two years ago on September 13. The number 91 represents the first two digits of that date.
With this signing, Ko Ching-Hsien became the 10th Taiwanese player signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
SIGNED! 17-year-old Taiwanese outfielder 柯敬賢 (Ko Ching-Hsien) is now officially a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers!
According to the local media, the Dodgers signed Ko Ching-Hsien for 750,000 USD. #MLBTW #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/mR14Wlf6CU
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) June 17, 2024
Quick Profile on Ko Ching-Hsien
Ko Ching-Hsien, who is half Taiwanese indigenous (father) and half South African (mother), stands 190 cm (6’3″). He primarily plays center field and is widely considered one of the best hitters graduating high school in 2024.
Ko bats left and throws right. Over the years, he has attracted attention from scouts and media for his raw power, often displaying the ability to send the ball over the fence with a wooden bat in various high school tournaments. Prior to his signing with the Dodgers, it was rumoured that at least 10 MLB teams were targeting him.
In 2023, Ko represented Taiwan in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. In 9 games, he slashed .550/.690/.750 and was named the best centre fielder of the tournament.
WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup
Team Taiwan’s 柯敬賢 (Ko Ching-Hsien) belts a solo shot to right and extends Taiwan’s lead to 16-0 over Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/vvZG69ScwE
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) September 6, 2023