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Ha-Seong Kim hoping to buck history of KBO players in MLB

By David Hill

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 23: Outfielder Kim Ha-Seong #7 of Kiwoom Heroes throws to the first base in the top of the fifth inning during the KBO League game between KIA Tigers and Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok Skydome on August 23, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 23: Outfielder Kim Ha-Seong #7 of Kiwoom Heroes throws to the first base in the top of the fifth inning during the KBO League game between KIA Tigers and Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok Skydome on August 23, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) /
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Ha-Seong Kim is one of the most intriguing players available this offseason. However, he will need to buck the trend of KBO players struggling in the majors.

It is easy to see why Ha-Seong Kim is one of the more intriguing players available this offseason. The 25 year old infielder is a potential five tool talent, with excellent power and speed. His glove, arm strength, and instincts indicate that he can stick at short at the major league level, leaving experts to state that he would be a top 100 caliber prospect if he was in affiliated ball.

Kim’s statistics back those lofty projections up. He produced an excellent .306/.397/.523 batting line in his 622 plate appearances, hitting 30 homers and 24 doubles while stealing 23 bases. Kim also split his time between short and third for the Kiwoom Heroes, adding another dimension to his profile before being posted.

Although his profile would seemingly be set up for success, Kim will need to buck history. Shin-Soo Choo has been the most successful major league player born in South Korea, posting a 34.6 bWAR, but he never played in the KBO. Of those Korean players who came to the majors from the KBO, Jung Ho Kang‘s 5.5 bWAR is the high water mark.

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The reason for the difficulty in adjusting to the majors is simple – pitching was not nearly at the same caliber. The ball in the KBO had been far more lively, and pitching was at roughly a AA equivalent. That is not the case any longer, as former major league pitchers are heading to the league to resurrect their careers and the ball has been deadened.

Nonetheless, there is a disparity between the level of pitching in the two leagues. Pitchers such as Raul Alcantara, Josh Lindblom, and Dan Straily have been stars in the KBO, but did not have nearly the same success stateside. After winning the KBO version of the Cy Young award in 2018 and 2019, Lindblom was mediocre at best in the majors last year.

That is the history Kim is hoping to overcome. He may well be the most complete player to come out of the KBO, tantalizing with his all around game. Kim is also still to reach his prime, giving him an opportunity to improve. But for all of his talent, there is still considerable risk, as is evident from the history of South Korean players in the majors.

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Ha-Seong Kim is an intriguing prospect. But there is still a great deal of risk for any interested teams.

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