page_title: Jung-ho Kang
section_title: 2015 season
hierarchical_section_title: Jung-ho Kang / Professional career / Pittsburgh Pirates / 2015 season
caption_attribution_description: English: Jung-ho Kang hitting in a game
context_page_description: Jung-ho Kang is a South Korean third baseman who is a free agent. He previously played in the KBO League for the Hyundai Unicorns and Nexen Heroes. He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.
context_section_description: On January 16, 2015, Kang was signed to a four-year, $11 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a club option for a fifth year.
  Kang made the decision to train with his former Korean club, the defending (2016) KBO Champion Nexen Heroes, who had arrived in Surprise, Arizona for their Spring Training (hosted at the spring training facility of the Texas Rangers). While there Kang focused on strength training.  Although there was plenty of South Korean-based media coverage surrounding Kang, as he was to be the first KBO position player (non-pitcher) to be developed entirely within the Korean system to jump to the Major Leagues.
  In spring training, Kang was given the opportunity to compete for the starting shortstop job held by Jordy Mercer. In the first spring training game of 2015, in his second at-bat, Kang connected on a 0-1 fastball, driving an opposite field solo home run in the third inning, helping the Pirates to a 5-0 lead, and eventual 8-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
  On April 4, 2015, Kang recorded his first Major League hit off Kyle Lohse of the Milwaukee Brewers, a flare just past the outstretched glove of shortstop Jean Segura.
  On April 21, Kang recorded his first RBI against the Chicago Cubs with a bases-clearing RBI double that gave the Pirates an 8–5 lead.
  On May 3 on the road against the Central leading Cardinals, in St. Louis, down 1-0, Kang came to bat to lead off the top of the 9th inning. Facing St. Louis Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal, Kang connected on the first pitch of the inning sending a game-tying solo home run into the left-center seats, knotting the game at 1–1.
  On May 9, 2015, during a 7–5 win over the Cardinals, the Pirates became the first MLB team to turn a 4–5–4 triple play. The play occurred when the Cardinals' Yadier Molina lined out to second baseman Neil Walker. Walker threw to Kang at third base to double-off Jhonny Peralta for the second out. Kang then threw the ball back to Walker, who was standing on second base, for the final out after Jason Heyward froze between second and third.
  On September 8, 2015, Kang connected on an impressive 472-ft solo shot, his 14th of the season, on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.
  On September 17, 2015, during a game against the Chicago Cubs, Kang was covering second base in a double play attempt. Baserunner Chris Coghlan attempted to break up the double play aggressively by sliding into Kang. Coghlan collided with Kang's left knee, fracturing his leg and tearing his MCL. Kang was placed on the 60-day disabled list and would miss the remainder of the season, including the post season NL wild card game, which the Pittsburgh Pirates played host to the Chicago Cubs.
  On October 7, during the pre-game introductions of the NL Wild Card game, a wheelchair-bound Kang was wheeled out onto the field, where he received a standing ovation. This was his first public appearance since the incident.
  In 126 games played in 2015, Kang hit .287 with 15 HRs and 58 RBIs. Kang placed third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, collecting a 19% share.
caption: Kang batting for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015
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