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| San Diego Jurickson Propa. © AFP=News1 |
San Diego Padres have signed a free agency contract with Jurickson Propa, 28, a multi-source in and out of the field. It is reinforcing outfield power while Kim Ha-seong (26) is expected to be in charge of the infield.
MLB.com reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that “San Diego has signed an agreement with FA outfielder Propa for 3 years for 21 million dollars (about 23.2 billion won).”
San Diego will officially announce the contract after completing Propa’s medical tests.
Propa, a switch heater, mainly played in the infield when he was a Texas Rangers prospect, but last year played mostly left field in San Diego.
Out of the 444⅔ innings he played last year, he played 282⅓ innings in left field, 13 innings in right field and 9 innings as center field. He also made 138 innings as a second baseman.
First of all, propa is more likely to play as an outfielder than last year.
San Diego signed a contract with Ha Sung Kim for up to $39 million in 4+1 years through a posting.
Third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. are already strong, and second base also has top prospect Jake Cronenworth. Kim Ha-seong is also one of the candidates for second base.
San Diego has secured stable outfield resources while catching a propa, while also creating an environment where Kim Ha-sung can concentrate on the infield.
MLB.com said, “corner outfielders Tommy Farm and Will Myers have been unwell for years,” and “Propa will be an important insurance policy.”
He added, “It could be against the right pitcher instead of Palm and Myers, or it could be the defensive substitute for Palm’s left field just like last year’s postseason.”
Propa hit a batting average of 0.278, 7 homers and 25 RBIs last year. He played in 547 games in the big league, batting average of 0.238, 59 homers and 222 RBIs.