Dodgers win.
Once more.
Hyeseong Kim, one of the proficient children within the KBO, is heading to Los Angeles on a three-year deal, The Publish’s Jon Heyman reported.
The 25-year-old infielder’s contract reportedly features a assured $12.5 million in addition to an choice for the 2028-29 season that might enhance the full worth of the deal to $22 million.
In Kim, a profession .304 hitter with a bevy of defensive accolades, the Dodgers are buying an uber-talented teen on the rise.
Kim has eight years {of professional} expertise with the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes and has steadily grown as a hitter throughout each certainly one of them.
Throughout his first full yr within the KBO, the left-handed hitter slashed .270/.328/.367.
Two years later, when Kim was 21 years previous, these numbers climbed to .285/.345/.399.
In 2023, Kim posted one of the best season of his profession, slashing .335/.396/.446.
He’s an issue on the bases, too, accumulating at the least 20 stolen bases throughout every of the final seven seasons.
On the defensive aspect of the ball, Kim has gained the KBO’s Golden Glove on 4 events.
He first picked up the honors on the shortstop place in 2021, then at second base in 2022, ’23 and ’24.
Kim’s settlement with the Dodgers got here simply hours earlier than his posting window was set to run out Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. ET.
The Heroes had opened Kim’s 30-day window in December following the fruits of his 2024 season — throughout which the star infielder batted to a .326 common with 11 residence runs and 30 steals.
The Dodgers can pay a switch charge to the Heroes when the deal turns into official.
That worth relies on the assured portion of his contract, MLB.com reported.
In Los Angeles, the place left-handed center infielders in Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux have already staked their claims, it’s not but clear the place Kim matches in.
He’ll flip 26 later this month.
