Woo Suk Go will reportedly sign with the San Diego Padres, per The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, who tweeted that the Korean pitcher will likely be their starter. However, the terms of the potential deal remain unknown.
He was the Korean Baseball Organization’s top closer in 2022, finishing with a 1.48 earned run average and 80 strikeouts over 60.2 innings pitched. He led the league in saves (42) before playing in the 2023 World Baseball Classic for South Korea. Go also played for Korea in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Korean righthander Woo Suk Go close to signing with Padres. Likely to be their closer.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 3, 2024
Go had a 3.68 ERA this year with 59 strikeouts in 44 innings. He had 15 saves and gave up only two home runs.
While his numbers last season have significantly dropped, Go has a 2.39 ERA and 139 saves since 2019. He uses his fastball with his slider, cutter, and curveball to earn those saves.
Woo Suk Go started his professional baseball career in 2017 for the LG Twins, tallying 23 strikeouts in 26 innings. The Twins are the only team he has played for in seven KBO seasons.
The potential signing comes after the Padres agreed to terms with Japanese relief pitcher Yuki Matsui. However, he will have big shoes to fill after five-time Major League Baseball All-Star Josh Hader explores free agency.
Aside from Hader, Tim Hill also left the Padres for the Chicago White Sox. Nick Martinez has signed with the Cincinnati Reds. The Padres will also lose National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
-Lance Fernandez