{
  "id": 19771589,
  "title": "KBO star Koo Ja-wook hires US agent in pursuit of MLB opportunity: report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/kbo-star-koo-ja-wook-hires-us-agent-in-pursuit-of-mlb-opportunity",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-13T07:17:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20261113/kbo-star-koo-ja-wook-hires-us-agent-in-pursuit-of-mlb-opportunity-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Koo Ja-wook, a star outfielder for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), has enlisted the help of a U.S.-based agent to pursue a Major League Baseball (MLB) opportunity, according to a recent report. The 33-year-old outfielder is represented by Jaron Long of Mako Corp. Koo Ja-wook recently secured the Korean Series MVP award after leading his Lions team to their first championship in 12 years, defeating the KT Wiz in a five-game series. Despite playing through a lingering hamstring injury, Koo managed to bat 10-for-20 during the Korean Series, hitting a home run and recording six RBIs. In the regular season, he became the first player in his career to win the batting title with a .371 average and led all players with a .458 on-base percentage. Koo also ranked among the top performers in the KBO for hits, doubles, RBIs, and runs. With 1,466 career games played, Koo boasts a lifetime batting average of .322, the fourth-best mark in league history among players with at least 3,000 plate appearances. He has hit 201 home runs and driven in 984 RBIs.",
  "summary": "Samsung Lions star Koo Ja-wook has hired a U.S.-based agent in pursuit of a major league contract this offseason, a report said Friday. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweeted Koo has hired Jaron Long of Mako Corp. to represent him as the 33-year-old outfielder seeks a jump from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to Major League Baseball. Koo is fresh off winning the Korean Series MVP award after…",
  "key_points": [
    "Koo Ja-wook, 33, KBO star outfielder",
    "Represented by US agent Jaron Long",
    "Pursuing MLB opportunity"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Securing American representation signals a strategic move to leverage elite statistical production into a professional playing contract within the Major League Baseball landscape.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}