Red Sox Release Korean Prospect Chansol Lee After Injury-Plagued Season

Two years ago, the Boston Red Sox made an uncommon international signing when they brought in Chansol Lee from South Korea for $300,000. Lee, who is now 20 years old, chose to forgo the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) draft and instead join the Red Sox organization.

However, Lee's time with the Red Sox was short-lived. In 2024, he only managed to pitch two games at the Rookie-ball level before a shoulder injury sidelined him. This week, the Red Sox announced that they have released Lee, ending his tenure with the team.

The release of Lee is a disappointment for the Red Sox, who were hoping the young Korean pitcher could develop into a valuable asset for the organization. However, the $300,000 investment was a calculated risk that ultimately did not pay off. Nonetheless, the Red Sox will not regret the signing, as they were willing to take a chance on a promising international talent.

As for Lee, he now faces an uncertain future in the baseball world. According to league rules, Korean-born players who sign with a Major League Baseball team and are later released must wait two years before they can return to the KBO. Hopefully, Lee can recover from his shoulder injury and find a new opportunity to showcase his skills.