Signed by the Mariners out of Korea late in 2000 and began his US career in
2001. Considered a five-tool player, the 21-year-old Choo has impressed every
season and could sneak into the majors ahead of schedule.
Choo has
leadoff skills as well as middle-of-the-order talents and has been utilized in
both spots in the order at every level. The left-handed hitting Choo is a triple
waiting to happen and has developing power that could land him in a corner
outfield spot in the big leagues. His defense and base-stealing abilities round
out his skills and makes it easy to see how Shin-soo Choo is one of the M’s top
five prospects.
The debut season for Choo was 2001 and he didn't
disappoint, hitting .310 with 24 extra-base hits in just 212 at-bats. Included
in the season was a week-long stint in Wisconsin after spending the season in
Peoria.
2002 was Choo’s first shot at better competition and once again
he displayed his many talents on his way to hitting .304 with 45 extra-base hits
in 130 games, 119 of them with Wisconsin. The M’s No.5 prospect also added 37
steals and stellar defense.
Following his first full year of Single-A
ball, Choo made the jump to Advanced-A to start 2003 and once again did nothing
but impress the organization by hitting .286 with 40 extra-base hits in 110
games. He added 18 steals and improved his power production with a career high
nine homeruns despite missing time with an injury.
Choo will start 2004
with Double-A San Antonio and will again have a chance to showcase his many
talents against very tough competition in the Texas League. At 5-10 and 185
pounds, Choo is built for speed and minimal power but his quick, compact swing
packs some punch and this upcoming season should be his best yet.
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