It’s unfortunate news for the Blue Jays, as Ji-woo had some intriguing upside. A two-way player, he reached 95 mph on the mound in his eight high school games on the mound. When he wasn’t pitching, Ji-woo played third base, hitting two home runs and batting .429 in 12 games.
Had they managed to sign Ji-woo, it would’ve been the second Korean they’ve signed through the international free agency in the last two periods. Last year, they signed Seojun Moon late last season with the international free agent bonus pool money they acquired in the Myles Straw trade in the 2024/25 off-season. Those two, as well as Jun-Sang Eom and Ha Hyun-seung make up the big four youngsters who come from Korea. Like Moon, Jun-Sang Eom signed with a big league organization, the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Hyun-seung elected to enter the KBO draft like Ji-woo.
It’s unclear how much bonus pool money the Blue Jays have remaining, but it’s at least around $1.5 million, which is around what they reportedly offered Ji-woo. Bonus pool money doesn’t carry over year by year, so expect them to either sign players over the course of the rest of the period, or potentially use it in a trade.
So far this period, the Blue Jays notable signees are Michael Mesa and Juan Caricote. Mesa is one of just four players on the Blue Jays’ two Dominican Summer League teams with a wRC+ above 100. In 62 plate appearances, the 17-year-old is slashing .265/.387/.490 with two home runs for a 109 wRC+.
Caricote has also hit his first professional home run this season, and is slashing .268/.385/.415 with a long ball in 52 plate appearances, good for a 99 wRC+ this season. The catcher has also walked more (11.5 BB%) than he’s struck out (9.6 K%).
There’s only one other Blue Jays prospect in the DSL to hit a home run, outfielder Aneudi Severino. Signed in January, the 17-year-old is slashing .234/.339/.511 with two home runs in 56 plate appearances this season, good for a 90 wRC+. That said, he has a high K% of 32.1%, worrisome at any level, but especially in the DSL.
