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KBO Players to Know: Sung-Bum Na

By Aaron Hinckley

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 09: Manager In-Sik Kim of Korea looks on in the dugout in the bottom of the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A Game Six between South Korea and Chinese Taipei at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 9, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 09: Manager In-Sik Kim of Korea looks on in the dugout in the bottom of the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A Game Six between South Korea and Chinese Taipei at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 9, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /
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The NC Dinos have another hulking slugger waiting for his chance in the MLB. Sung-Bum Na was a teammate of Eric Thames while he played in the KBO, but is arguably a much more interesting commodity.

Na is intriguing due to his age, playing experience, and the talent he already possesses. The first thing about Na is that he has yet to play seven years in the KBO, which means he will not be posted till 2019.

The 27-year-old would not reach the majors till he was at least 30. As a high school player, he was on MLB radars as a pitcher, but an injury forced him to stay put and he became a second round pick in the KBO (by the NC Dinos). NC Dinos’ coaching staff shifted Na to the outfield where he would have to learn on the fly.

No longer a pitcher, Na has been developing into a star outfield in the KBO. He is a five time KBO All-Star. He also won two KBO Gold Glove in 2014 and 2015. The man can play, but what will his fantasy impact be in 2019?

Fantasy Impact

We a have few more years to watch him develop before we get a concrete answer. From what we do know, Na has a very short load without a big leg kick, and this allows him to generate plus power by being very quick to the ball. His approach could be the determining factor in how valuable he could be in the MLB. He has a career 2.76 K/BB ratio in the KBO. Na also swings at the first pitch with a lot of success (career 1.094 OPS on first pitches).

Trying to compare Na to a current major league player was tougher than I initially would have thought. He has averaged 22.6 homer runs per year; however, that number gets bogged down by his 14 home run rookie year. His last three season his hit 35,37, and 34 doubles (so far in 2017). In 2016, Na walked 67 times (only 32 in 2015), but this season he has only drawn 32 walks.

With the strike zone changing in 2017, this seems like Na adjusting by being more aggressive early (as previously mentioned). This season has also been the return of his thieving as he has swiped 15 bags already. This comes after only stealing seven in 2016, but before that, Na has at least swiped 10 bases with a career high of 23.

With the strike zone changing in 2017, this seems like Na adjusting by being more aggressive early (as previously mentioned). This season has also been the return of his thieving as he has swiped 15 bags already. This comes after only stealing seven in 2016, but before that, Na has at least swiped 10 bases with a career high of 23.

Next: Week 22 Waiver Wire Adds

Christian Yelich seems like the top end of production as he would need to draw walks at a higher clip consistently as well as continue stealing bases. Na seems to fit the Giant’s Hunter Pence mold the best as Pence’s 2014 slash line of .277/.332/.445 with 20 home runs and 13 stolen bases makes the most sense as Na transitions from the KBO. 2019 is a while away, but at least you will know about Sung-Bum Na before everyone else in your league.

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