The Kiwoom Heroes posted Hyeseong Kim, who is one of the best hitters in the KBO. Thursday will signify the start of a 30-day window for the second baseman to join an MLB team. He has a deadline of 5 p.m. ET on January 3rd to reach an agreement.
Starting Thursday, any team ready to pay the Heroes the release fee and any applicable supplemental fees can have Kim. He recently told Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency that he will go to the United States once he is posted.
Hyseong has batted .3-4 and logged a .364 on-base percentage over eight campaigns with the Kiwoom Heroes. He has stolen up to 20 bases in all of the last seven terms, reaching as high as 46 in 2021. A left-handed Kim slashed .326/.383/.458 with 11 homers and 30 steals for the Heroes this year.
He is also a strong defender, as he has won a KBO Golden Glove at second in 2022 and ‘23. Kim won the same award at shortstop in ‘21.
The Seattle Mariners are one of the clubs interested in Kim, per reports by MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand also identified him as a player who could be perfect for the Mariners. Seattle’s second baseman has an average of .209, .658 OPS, and 27.1% strikeout rate in 2024. Kim has a 16.3% K rate through 3,819 plate appearances in the KBO.
