U.S. media has delivered a sobering assessment of Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), who is vying for a spot in Major League Baseball (MLB). While the LA Angels, in need of third base reinforcement, could consider him, analysts suggest he should be viewed as a Plan C or Plan D option at best.

On Tuesday, Sports Illustrated (SI) published an article titled, Can KBO Star Noh Si-hwan Solve the Angels' Third Base Dilemma?, evaluating his offensive and defensive capabilities.

SI first spotlighted Noh's batting statistics.

The outlet noted that at first glance, Noh's overall batting performance makes him appear to be a good fit for the Angels. His .283 batting average, .360 on-base percentage, and .505 slugging percentage are impressive numbers that would complement the Angels' core lineup. Last season, he smashed 32 home runs, propelling Hanwha to the Korean Series.

However, SI pointed out several red flags in his detailed statistics.

The average velocity of pitchers Noh faced in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League is lower than that of MLB hurlers, SI stated. He's already posting an above-average strikeout rate in the KBO, which climbed to 25.7% this year. This rate could potentially skyrocket if he makes the jump to the MLB.

The outlet also raised concerns about his defensive abilities.

Noh's defensive skills are rated as average to slightly below average, SI explained. While his arm strength is a plus, his lateral movement and range are limited, which constrains his overall defensive capability.

Ultimately, SI concluded that the Angels shouldn't consider Noh as their primary target for third base reinforcement.

Players like Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa of the Philadelphia Phillies, who have proven themselves in the majors, might be safer bets than KBO hitters yet to showcase their skills at the highest level, SI remarked. The Angels would be wise to view Noh as a Plan C or Plan D option.

Meanwhile, Noh was officially posted through the MLB office on Tuesday.

As a result, he's eligible to negotiate contracts with all 30 MLB teams from 10:00 p.m. (KST) on Wednesday Korean time (8:00 a.m. on Tuesday Eastern Time) until 7:00 a.m. (KST) on December 3 Korean time (5:00 p.m. on December 2 Eastern Time).

U.S. media has delivered a sobering assessment of Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), who is …

Is Noh Si-hwan Ready for MLB? A Deep Dive into His Stats and Angels' Interest