Major League Baseball (MLB)’s interest in Kim Hye-seong (25) is growing.
MLB’s official website, MLB.com, reported on the 7th (Korean time), “The Seattle Mariners are one of the teams showing interest in KBO League star Kim Hye-sung. Seattle, which is looking to reinforce second base, can find the answer overseas.” MLB Network’s John Morosi also introduced through his personal social media (SNS), “Seattle is one of the teams that has closely evaluated Kim Hye-sung.” Morosi predicted, “Other teams that need a second baseman, such as the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels, may also try to recruit Kim Hye-sung.”
Since the MLB Stove League began, Kim Hye-sung’s name has frequently appeared in American sports media. On the 1st, MLB.com mentioned him as one of the KBO League players seeking to advance to MLB and said, “Teams that need a starting second baseman and utility player are paying attention to him.”
Last March, Kim Hye-seong participated in the ‘Seoul Series Special Match’ against the LA Dodgers as a member of Team Korea (KBO League All-Stars) and left a strong impression by turning pitcher Bobby Miller’s 157 km/h fastball into a double to right. MLB.com also introduced LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ comment, “Our scouts liked Kim (Kim Hye-sung).”
MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR), which reports transfer market news, announced the 50th Stove League free agent (FA) rankings on the 5th and placed Kim Hye-sung at 26th. He predicted, “The MLB market does not reward second basemen highly, but Kim Hye-seong is only 25 years old and has the athletic ability to play shortstop, so she will be able to attract the attention of teams that want this position.”
The ‘MLB World Tour Seoul Series 2024’ game between Team Korea and the LA Dodgers was held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the afternoon of the 18th. In the top of the third inning, Kim Hye-seong hits a double and is on base. Gocheok = Reporter Jeong Si-jong capa@edaily.co.kr /2024.03.18/
The size of the contract predicted by MLBTR through internal discussions was 3 years and a total amount of 24 million dollars (33.5338 billion won). Four years ago, Ha-seong Kim signed a contract with the San Diego Padres and the guaranteed amount was $28 million (4 years). This means that on an annual average basis, Kim Hye-seong can sign a contract for a higher amount than Kim Ha-seong.
MLBTR also selected Seattle, LA Angels, and Chicago White Sox as Hye-Sung Kim’s destinations. He also emphasized again that he is a suitable player for teams that need infielders to recruit at a reasonable price. We are receiving fairly generous evaluations even though we haven’t even applied for a posting (private competitive bidding) yet.
Kim Hye-seong, who led Korea to a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and received military service benefits, completed basic military training for the past three weeks and was discharged on the 7th. In the future, it is expected that after setting a specific posting schedule with the agency CAA Stellar Korea, they will depart for the United States and engage in negotiations.
Initially, there were predictions that the move would be made after watching the contract trends of infielders with proven skills, such as Kim Ha-seong and Willy Adames. A CAA official said, “We haven’t decided on an exact date yet, but the timing of posting applications won’t be any later than last year’s Lee Jeong-hoo.” Lee Jeong-hoo applied for the post on November 24th last year.
Reporter Ahn Hee-soo anheesoo@edaily.co.kr
