Who is representing Koo Ja-wook as he seeks an MLB contract?

Koo hired Jaron Long of Mako Corp. to represent him. Long is a former minor league pitcher who began his career working for Boras Corporation.

What did Koo Ja-wook say about pursuing a chance to play in MLB?

After the Lions clinched the title on Nov. 8, Koo said he hoped someone from a major league club would contact him and that he was serious about challenging himself in the United States.

What were Koo Ja-wook’s 2026 season and career batting achievements?

Koo won his first career KBO batting title with a.371 regular-season average and led the league with a.458 on-base percentage. His career average is.322 over 1,466 games, with 201 home runs and 984 RBIs.

KBO star Koo Ja-wook hires US agent in pursuit of MLB opportunity: report

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Summary

Samsung Lions outfielder Koo Ja-wook hired U.S.-based agent Jaron Long as he pursues a major league contract this offseason. The 33-year-old is a free agent after his five-year contract with the Lions expired. He won the Korean Series MVP after helping the Lions claim their first KBO championship in 12 years, and he won his first career regular-season batting title with a.371 average. Koo said he would welcome contact from a major league club and was serious about challenging himself in the United States.

Key Facts

Koo went 10-for-20 with a home run and six RBIs in the Korean Series against the KT Wiz while dealing with lingering effects of a hamstring injury.
He led the KBO with a.458 on-base percentage and ranked among league leaders in hits, doubles, RBIs and runs.
Across 1,466 career games, Koo has a.322 batting average, 201 home runs and 984 RBIs; his average ranks fourth in league history among players with at least 3,000 plate appearances.
Koo has played only for the Samsung Lions since making his KBO debut in 2015.
Jaron Long is a former minor league pitcher who worked for Boras Corporation and is the son of former major league hitting coach Kevin Long.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 13, 2026 4:06 pm KST

Samsung Lions' Koo Ja-wook, center, celebrates after being named Most Valuable Player at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, South Korea, Sunday. Yonhap

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 helping his Lions win their first KBO championship in 12 years.

Koo batted 10-for-20 with a home run and six RBIs as the Lions knocked off the KT Wiz in five games in the Korean Series, even as he was playing through lingering effects of a hamstring injury.

In the regular season, Koo won his first career batting title with a .371 mark and led everyone with a .458 on-base percentage. Koo also ranked among the KBO leaders in hits, doubles, RBIs and runs.

In 1,466 career games, Koo has a lifetime batting average of .322 — the fourth-best mark in league history among those with at least 3,000 plate appearances — along with 201 home runs and 984 RBIs.

Koo, who has only played for the Lions since his KBO debut in 2015, is a free agent this winter, as his five-year contract with the club expired.

Koo, who bats left and throws right, has mostly been a corner outfielder but also played some first base and third base earlier in his career.

In a press conference after the Lions' title-clinching victory on Nov. 8, Koo said, "If anyone from a major league club is reading this, please contact me. I would love to go challenge myself in the U.S. I am serious."

Long is a former minor league pitcher who cut his teeth working for Boras Corporation. The 35-year-old is the son of Kevin Long, former hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Washington Nationals, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets.

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