Hyeseong Kim, one of the top hitters in the KBO, was posted by his team, the Kiwoom Heroes, on Wednesday. Thursday marks the beginning of a 30-day window for the 25-year-old second baseman to sign with an MLB team, with a deadline of 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 3 to reach an agreement. Beginning Thursday, any team willing to pay to the Heroes the corresponding release fee and any applicable supplemental fees may negotiate with Kim.
Kim recently told Jeeho Yoo of South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency that he will travel to the United States once he is posted.
Kim has batted .304 and logged a .364 on-base percentage over eight seasons with the Kiwoom Heroes. Kim has also stolen at least 20 bases in each of the past seven seasons, reaching as high as 46 in 2021. A left-handed hitter, Kim slashed .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs and 30 steals for Kiwoom this year.
He is also a strong defender up the middle, as he has won a KBO Golden Glove at second in 2022 and '23. He won the same award at shortstop in '21.
The Mariners are among the teams interested in Kim, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has also identified Kim as a player who could make sense for the Mariners.
Seattle second basemen recorded a .209 average, .658 OPS and 27.1% strikeout rate in 2024. Kim has a 16.3% K rate through 3,819 plate appearances in the KBO.