Joey Kawika Wong (born April 12, 1988) is an American former professional baseball infielder who played internationally for the Chinese national baseball team in 2017, and is currently a coach at Oregon State University. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 24th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.

Joey Wong
Infielder
Born: (1988-04-12) April 12, 1988 (age 36)
Salem, Oregon
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Playing career

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Amateur

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Wong attended Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon, and Oregon State University.[1] Playing college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers, Wong was a member of the 2007 College World Series champions.[2] In 2007 and 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3][4]

Colorado Rockies

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The Colorado Rockies drafted Wong in the 24th round, with the 721st overall selection, of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He made his professional debut with the Low-A Tri-City Dust Devils. In 2010, Wong played for the Single-A Asheville Tourists, posting a .223/.296/.311 slash line in 84 games. He returned to Asheville in 2011, and hit .286/.353/.408 with 6 home runs and 55 RBI in 101 games. In 2012, Wong split the season between Tri-City, Asheville, and the High-A Modesto Nuts, accumulating a .241/.321/.339 slash line with 1 home run and 20 RBI between the three teams. The following year, Wong played for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, posting a .240/.304/.330 slash line with 2 home runs and 19 RBI. Wong returned to Tulsa in 2014, but struggled, hitting .221/.285/.298 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI.

In 2015, Wong split the year between the Low-A Boise Hawks, the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats, and the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, batting a cumulative .248/.304/.326 with no home runs and 23 RBI. On November 6, 2015, he elected free agency, but re-signed with the organization on a minor league contract on December 4. For the 2016 season, Wong returned to Albuquerque, logging a .233/.343/.302 slash line with one home run and 28 RBI in 91 games.[6] He elected free agency again on November 7, 2016.[7]

Seattle Mariners

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On March 15, 2017, Wong signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.[8] He split the year between the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, slashing .239/.358/.291 with 3 home runs and 34 RBI. Wong elected free agency following the season on November 6.[9]

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

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On February 7, 2018, Wong signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[10] In 18 games with the Blue Crabs, Wong logged a .239/.337/.268 slash line with no home runs and 5 RBI.

New York Mets

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Wong's contract was purchased by the New York Mets organization on May 19, 2018.[11] After hitting just .196 between the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s and the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Wong was released by the organization on August 4, 2018.

St. Paul Saints

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On August 7, 2018, Wong signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He appeared in 26 games with the Saints, batting .272/.385/.358 with 1 home run and 12 RBI. Wong batted .218/.322/.374 in 40 games with St. Paul in 2019 before he was released by the team on September 17, 2019.[12]

International play

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Wong competed for the Chinese national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[13]

Coaching career

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On August 6, 2019, Wong returned to his alma mater, Oregon State University, as an undergraduate assistant coach.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Sprague's Joey Wong continues to chase big-league dreams". Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  2. ^ "Schlabach: Oregon State reloads, wins second consecutive CWS title". June 25, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  3. ^ "2007 Falmouth Commodores". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "2008 Falmouth Commodores". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Sprague's Joey Wong continues to chase big-league dreams".
  6. ^ "Register Players Encyclopedia".
  7. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Joey Wong joins Seattle Mariners organization".
  9. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "Rodriguez and Wong sign with Blue Crabs". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  11. ^ "Blue Crabs' Joey Wong Signed by New York Mets". Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  12. ^ "Joey Wong - American Association - player".
  13. ^ "Joey Wong representing China in World Baseball Classic". Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  14. ^ "Oregon State Baseball: Joey Wong Returns to Corvallis as Assistant Coach". August 6, 2019.
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