The Hanwha Eagles on Friday announced their signing of former major league catcher Wilin Rosario.

The Korea Baseball Organization club inked the 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic to a one-year deal worth

US$1.3 million, which included a signing bonus of $300,000.

Rosario has also played first base during his five-year big league career, all with the Colorado Rockies.

After making his debut and playing just 16 games in 2011, Rosario exploded for 28 home runs and 71 RBIs in 117 games the following season, finishing fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

He followed that up with a 21-homer season in 2013, and set a new career-high with 79 RBIs.

Rosario slipped to 13 home runs in 2014 and then to six homers in 87 games last year. None too pleased with his defense behind the plate, the Rockies used him as a backup first baseman at times last season, which in turn reduced his plate appearances and led to a significant drop in his offensive production.

In November, the Rockies designated him for assignment, and Rosario elected free agency rather than accepting a minor-league assignment.

He made $2.8 million last year and was eligible for salary arbitration for 2016.

Rosario was teammates with a current Hanwha pitcher, Esmil Rogers, on the Rockies from 2011 to 2012.  (Yonhap)