HoParkByoung1MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Byung Ho Park will probably experience a sharp transition from Korean competition to Major League Baseball.

Park and the Minnesota Twins are confident the 28-year-old slugger can handle it.

Park summed up his belief Wednesday through an interpreter at his introductory news conference: “Baseball is baseball.”

The Twins posted the highest bid last month to the Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization before working out a $12 million, four-year contract for Park. He batted .343 with 35 doubles, 53 home runs and 146 RBIs in 140 games in the 2015 season.

Park is a natural first baseman, but with Joe Mauer there in Minnesota he will be the team’s primary designated hitter.

Park will be the 18th player born in Korea to reach the major leagues.

Previously…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – South Korean first baseman Byung Ho Park has agreed to a $12 million, four-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.

The 29-year-old, who also is a designated hitter, gets $2.75 million in each of the next two seasons and $3 million each in 2018 and ’19. The Twins have a $6.5 million option for 2020 with a $500,000 buyout.

On Nov. 9, Minnesota won the right to negotiate with Park for 30 days by placing a high bid of $12.85 million after he was posted by the Nexen Heroes under Major League Baseball’s agreement with the Korea Baseball Organization. The money was due only if Park signed with the Twins.

Park hit .343 with 53 homers and 146 RBIs this year. He has a .281 average and 210 homers in parts of nine seasons in Korea.