Kim Hye-seong (25), an infielder for the South Korean national baseball team, has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
A representative from Kim Hye-seong's agency, CAA, announced on the 4th (Korean time) that Kim has agreed to a 3+2 year deal worth up to $22 million (approximately 32.4 billion KRW) with the Dodgers.
The guaranteed contract is for 3 years totaling $12.5 million (approximately 18.4 billion KRW), with an option to extend the contract for an additional 2 years.
Kiwoom Heroes player Kim Hye-seong, who signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball in the United States. Photo by Yonhap News
CAA explained, "The Los Angeles Angels offered 5 years worth $28 million, and there were also offers from the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres, but Kim chose the Dodgers."
However, according to CAA, the minor league opt-out clause was excluded from the contract. Kim Hye-seong must survive fierce competition at the spring camp starting next month to become a true big leaguer.
Kim Hye-seong joined Nexen (now Kiwoom) Heroes in 2017 and has played in 953 games over 8 seasons, posting a batting average of .304 with 1,043 hits, 37 home runs, and 211 stolen bases. In the 2024 season, he performed with a .326 batting average, 11 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases.
Kiwoom Heroes player Kim Hye-seong, who signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball in the United States. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Hye-seong is the ninth player from the KBO League to sign a contract with an MLB team through the posting system.
Among position players, he is the fifth after Kang Jung-ho (2014, Pittsburgh Pirates), Park Byung-ho (2015, Minnesota Twins), Kim Ha-seong (2020, San Diego Padres), and Lee Jung-hoo (2023, San Francisco Giants), all of whom are former Kiwoom Heroes players.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
