SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Padres have made a strategic addition to their bullpen by signing South Korean right-handed reliever Woo-Suk Go to a two-year contract, with an option for a third year in 2026. The announcement was made today by A.J. Preller, the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Padres.
Woo-Suk Go, 25, joins the Padres following an impressive 2023 season with the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) Champions, the LG Twins. He achieved a career-best 12.1 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched, coupled with a solid 3.68 ERA. Over 44 innings, Go allowed 18 earned runs and maintained a 1.36 WHIP, contributing significantly to the Twins’ championship run. His performance also included 15 saves and 59 strikeouts against 22 walks. Notably, Go demonstrated remarkable efficiency against left-handed batters, holding them to a .179 average, while right-handed hitters posted a .286 average against him.
Go’s contributions were critical in the KBO postseason, especially in the Korean Series where he faced the KT Wiz. He finished the series with a 1-1 record and a save, including logging the final out in Game 5. His talent was further recognized with a selection to the 2023 World Baseball Classic roster for South Korea, alongside teammate Ha-Seong Kim, although Go did not appear in the tournament.
In his seven-season career with the LG Twins, Go has amassed an impressive record of 19 wins and 26 losses, along with 139 saves in 354 relief appearances. He boasts a lifetime ERA of 3.18, with 401 strikeouts to 163 walks, and a WHIP of 1.27. His performance peaked in 2022 when he led the KBO in saves with 42. From 2019-2023, his 139 total saves were the highest in the league. Over the past three seasons, Go has maintained a remarkable 2.32 ERA and consistently finished in the Top 10 in the league for saves.
The signing of Woo-Suk Go represents a significant bolstering of the Padres’ bullpen. His proven track record in high-pressure situations, particularly his ability to handle batters from both sides of the plate, will be a valuable asset for the team as they prepare for the upcoming MLB seasons. The Padres’ management and fans will be eagerly anticipating the impact that Go can make in elevating the team’s pitching capabilities.
