Hyeseong Kim, one of the best hitters in South Korea’s KBO league, hopes to be placed by his team in the post system on Wednesday, opening the door for the 25-year-old second baseman to become an MLB free agent.
Kim told Jeeho Yoo of South Korea’s Yonhap News that he will travel to the United States once it is posted.
Kim has hit .304 with a .364 on-base percentage over eight seasons with Kiwoom Heroes. Additionally, he has stolen at least 20 bases in each of the last seven seasons, peaking at 46 in 2021. A left-handed hitter, Kim posted a .326/.383/.458 slash line with 11 home runs and 30 stolen bases for Kiwoom this year.
He is also a solid middle infielder, having won the KBO Gold Glove as a second baseman in 2022 and 2023. He previously won the same award as a shortstop in 2021.
The Mariners are among the teams interested in Kim, according to MLB Network analyst Jon Paul Morosi. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has also identified him as a player who could fit in Seattle.
Mariners second basemen hit .209 with a .658 OPS and 27.1% strikeout rate in 2024. Kim has a 16.3% strikeout rate in 3,819 plate appearances in the KBO.
Brian Murphy/MLB.com
