The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their middle infield last week by signing Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract. The deal includes a two-year team option for the 2028 and 2029 seasons.
Kim joins the Dodgers after spending the last eight seasons in the Korean Baseball League. He played six of those with the Kiwoom Heroes and won three KBO Fielding Awards from 2021-2023 while playing four different positions.
Kim adds to the Dodgers’ list of international signings in South Korea, joining the likes of Chan Ho Park, Hyun-Jin Ryu and prospect Hyun-Seok Jang, among others.
Kim cited that history and the chance to win a World Series as key reasons behind his decision to sign with the Dodgers, via Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency:
In interview with his now ex-KBO team, Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim was asked why he chose the Dodgers.
"Well, they're the Dodgers."😅
"I was so familiar with the Dodgers, having watched Chan Ho Park and Hyun-Jin Ryu play there. And they're the defending champions."— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) January 8, 2025
Kim’s comments are in line with several players who have signed with the Dodgers over the last year for the opportunity to win a World Series.
The 25-year-old was originally projected to be a utility man with the team, but the Dodgers trading Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds has opened the door for him to receive plenty of opportunities at second base.
In addition to his slick glove work, Kim is known for his elite bat-to-ball skills. He hit .326 with the Heroes last year and posted a career .304 batting average during his time in South Korea.
Hyeseong Kim impressed Dodgers in South Korea
The Dodgers had an up-close look at Kim during exhibition games before the Seoul Series last year and came away impressed.
“Our scouts like the second baseman (Kim), just the way his body moves, there’s some life to the bat and defensively he made a nice play out there,” manager Dave Roberts said at the time.
“There’s some good baseball players all over the world. This is just another chance for us to see them and them to kind of match themselves against us.”
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