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*This column contains spoilers.While watching episode three of Pitch on Thursday night, there was a particular part of the shows plot line that caught me completely off guard. It wasnt the bench-clearing brawl started by protagonist Ginny Baker (Kylie Bunbury), or the fact that the St. Louis Cardinals catcher was Bakers former minor league flame -- it was the depiction of Bakers San Diego Padres teammate, Woo-Jin Kim.Woo-Jin is first seen in last weeks episode as a player sitting on the Padres team bus. My initial reaction to seeing him, even just as an extra body used to portray another teammate of Bakers, was a smile -- there was an Asian-American ballplayer, something I never recalled seeing in a movie or television show, ever.As an Asian-American myself, the only representation of Asian athletes in movies or television from my generation came in the form of Isuro Kamikazi Tanaka from Major League II (1994) or the Japanese team that got bounced by the Purple Cobras in Dodgeball (2004). Oh, and we cant forget Olympic ice skater-turned ice hockey stud Kenny Wu from D2: The Mighty Ducks (1992). Otherwise, from my knowledge, thats about it.However, Fox decided to take Woo-Jins storyline down a disappointing path. Viewers quickly learn that he is an international player after being the butt of a you cant even speak English joke from characters Mike Lawson (Mark Paul-Gosselaar) and Blip Sanders (Mo McRae). The language barrier becomes a crucial part of the episode as general manager Oscar Arguella (Mark Consuelos) wants to send him down to the minor leagues, but doesnt initially communicate his thought, because Woo-Jins interpreter cant be reached -- despite the fact that the Padres are in the middle of playing a game. You would think the interpreter would be present for such an occasion, but ... Hollywood.After a bit of head-scratching throughout the episode as to why the players native tongue is constantly referenced, the answer becomes painstakingly apparent at the end of the episode. After Oscar spends nearly 35 minutes searching for an interpreter, it turns out that skipper Al Luongo (Dan Lauria) spoke Korean all along (what are the odds!). After delivering the news to Woo-Jin in broken Korean, Woo-Jin responds by saying Okay before bowing and walking away, likely never to be seen on the show again.Al then leans toward Oscar and says, People who underestimate me tend to be surprised.Really?In summary, Woo-Jins character on Pitch was created for the sole purpose of a punchline and a plot device to further highlight the complexity of Padres manager Luongo -- because an aged, seemingly Caucasian baseball manager speaking a foreign language apparently causes heads to explode.Heres why there is a problem with Woo-Jins portrayal on the show. In a Hollywood-climate where Asian-American actors and actresses continue to fight for visibility in the form of booking lead roles, the depiction of him as the inaudible foreign ballplayer, who is the butt of jokes and a pawn for plot lines, is yet another setback -- as minor as his role is on the show.For a show that screams social consciousness and has done a great job in not only casting diverse actors but showcasing that diversity in the form of a black manager (Cardinals manager in episode 3), female and minority reporters, and diverse front office personnel -- all of which Major League Baseball desperately needs more of in reality -- Fox completely dropped the ball when it came to Woo-Jins character.While its the goal of Fox to inspire all genders to take up the sport of baseball, it missed an opportunity to shed light on another population that is underrepresented in professional ball clubs. I can probably count the number of Asian-American ballplayers in the majors on two hands.?While it could be seen as an unfair expectation of Fox to break every barrier in Hollywood, its disappointing to see they missed the mark with Kims character. Its also not to say that the depiction of an Asian-American ballplayer would have been unrealistic. Major Leaguers like Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong and former San Francisco Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa both played huge roles in the 2014 National League Championship Series.Was it wrong of Fox to use an international player in the show? Absolutely not -- international players have been some of the games bigger names in recent years. But the network shouldnt have done something as ridiculous as making Kims interpreter go MIA in the middle of a ballgame. In fact, in the real world, Major League Baseball implemented a new rule in 2016, requiring all teams to hire two full-time Spanish speaking interpreters to their clubs.Writers could have instead shed a small light on the struggles international players face -- there are sure to be similarities between their experiences and Bakers. Look no further than Tuesdays American League wild-card game where racial slurs (and a beer bottle) were hurled toward Orioles player Hyun Soo Kim, who happens to be a Korean outfielder.Before you draw the pitchfork, there is also the character of Elliot (Tim Jo), an Asian-American who serves as the social media managing sidekick to Amelia Slater (Ali Larter). Elliot, who is funny and energetic, is one of the more likable characters on the show. And of course, in the middle of Oscars interpreter scramble, he comes running to Elliott wondering if he speaks Korean, not before acknowledging how awkward and uncomfortable that request is. There is nothing controversial about Elliot, and his solid casting is not the problem at hand -- the portrayal of Elliot and Kim are mutually exclusive.No, this hiccup by Fox does not mean viewers should stop watching Pitch, the storyline is far too important and the networks execution up until this point has been commendable. This particular case simply shows that Asians in television and film, no matter how progressive the project, have a long way to go.Sean Hurd is a Digital Media Associate for ESPN. Follow him @seanahurd Cheap Kansas City Royals Jerseys . PAUL, Minn. Kelvin Herrera Jersey .C. United of Major League Soccer. 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