Hyeseong Kim Bio
Hyeseong Kim is a South Korean professional baseball player whose speed and contact skills have made him one of the most exciting international players of his generation. Born on January 27, 1999, in Incheon, South Korea, Kim plays second base, shortstop, and center field, and currently appears for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. Nicknamed “The Comet,” he first rose to stardom in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League with the Kiwoom Heroes before signing with the Dodgers in early 2025.
Kim made his MLB debut on May 3, 2025, and within months became a World Series champion, joining Byung-hyun Kim as only the second Korean-born player to win a title. He is the only KBO player ever to receive the Golden Glove Award at both shortstop and second base, underscoring his reputation as an elite defender.
Early Life and Background
Hyeseong Kim grew up in Incheon, South Korea, where he attended Dongsan High School and developed into one of the country’s most promising young hitters. In 2016, his senior year, he received the Lee Young-min Batting Award, which is given annually to the top-hitting high school baseball player in South Korea. The award signaled that Kim was ready for professional baseball and helped raise his profile heading into the next year’s draft.
Coming from a city with a strong baseball tradition, Kim grew up idolizing KBO stars and spent his teenage years refining his speed and contact skills. His natural quickness and disciplined approach at the plate became trademarks even before he turned professional, and he drew early comparisons to other Korean middle infielders known for their glove work.
Path to Professional Baseball
Kim’s path to the pros accelerated in 2017 when the Nexen Heroes selected him in the second round of the 2017 KBO draft out of Dongsan High School. He was part of the same draft class as fellow Korean star Lee Jung-hoo, and the two players later became teammates and close friends within the Heroes organization. Being drafted in the second round gave Kim high expectations from the start, as the Heroes viewed him as a future everyday player in the middle infield.
He made his professional debut on June 28, 2017, against the NC Dinos, recording three at-bats across six games before being sent down to the KBO Futures League, the organization’s minor league system. He was recalled on September 1 and finished his rookie year playing 16 games with a .188 batting average and .548 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). The brief taste of professional competition gave Kim the foundation he needed to compete for a starting role the following season.
Hyeseong Kim Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Kim began his first full professional season in 2018 as an everyday starter for the Nexen Heroes. He appeared in 138 games and posted a .270 batting average with a .695 OPS, showing steady improvement in his plate discipline and defensive reads at shortstop. The 2018 campaign established him as a young regular in the Heroes’ infield and gave coaches confidence that he could handle a full KBO schedule.
During these developmental years, Kim focused on tightening his defense and learning the nuances of opposing hitters, work that soon began to translate into highlight-reel plays. By the end of 2018, the Heroes organization viewed him as a cornerstone of their infield, and teammates leaned on his energy and speed to spark rallies. His strong finish laid the groundwork for a breakout 2019 season and beyond.
Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Following the 2018 rebrand of the franchise to the Kiwoom Heroes, Kim blossomed into one of the KBO League’s premier middle infielders. Across his KBO career, he batted .304 with 37 home runs, 386 runs batted in (RBI), and 211 stolen bases in 953 games, numbers that placed him among the league’s most dynamic two-way talents. His ability to impact the game both at the plate and on the base paths earned him widespread recognition as the face of the Heroes for several seasons.
Defensively, Kim’s range and soft hands made him a constant presence on highlight reels, and he captured four consecutive KBO Golden Glove Awards from 2021 through 2024. In 2021, he also led the league in stolen bases, an achievement that cemented his identity as a speed-first player. By the time he wrapped up his KBO career, he had become the only KBO player ever to earn a Golden Glove at both shortstop and second base.
In his final KBO season of 2024, Kim played 127 games for Kiwoom and slashed .326/.383/.458 (batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage), with 30 stolen bases and career-highs of 11 home runs and 75 RBI. On December 4, 2024, the Heroes posted Kim to Major League Baseball as a free agent, opening the door for his long-anticipated move to the United States.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2025–Present)
On January 3, 2025, Kim signed a three-year, $12.5 million guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, with two additional option years that could push the total value to $22 million. The Dodgers also paid a $2.5 million posting fee to the Kiwoom Heroes as part of the agreement. The deal made Kim one of the most talked-about international signings of the offseason and reflected the Dodgers’ confidence in his upside as an everyday player.
Kim began the 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City after struggling at the plate during spring training, but he was promoted to the majors on May 3, 2025. That night he made his MLB debut as a defensive replacement against the Atlanta Braves, and two days later he recorded his first MLB hit, a single off Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins, while also collecting an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. His first MLB home run came on May 14, 2025, off Gunnar Hoglund of the Athletics, and he continued to flash his trademark speed throughout the summer.
An August stint on the injured list for left shoulder bursitis slowed his momentum, and his playing time was reduced after he returned in September. He finished 2025 batting .280 with three home runs, 17 RBI, and 13 stolen bases across 71 games. In the postseason, Kim was a late-inning specialist whose speed proved decisive. In Game 4 of the National League Division Series, he pinch-ran for Tommy Edman and scored the series-winning run on a throwing error by Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering. He later appeared as a defensive replacement in Game 7 of the World Series, recording the first putout in the bottom of the 11th and final inning as the Dodgers captured the championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kim’s most memorable moment in a Dodgers uniform came in the 2025 World Series run, where his October contributions turned him into a fan favorite in Los Angeles. In addition to his Game 4 heroics, his defensive cameo in Game 7 made him the first Korean-born position player to win a World Series. The milestone added a powerful chapter to his already distinguished career and set the stage for the next phase of his MLB journey.
Hyeseong Kim Career Wins and Achievements
Across the KBO and MLB, Kim has built a résumé that features individual hardware, statistical leadership, and team success. His four consecutive KBO Golden Glove Awards and 2021 KBO stolen base title highlight his impact in Korea, while a 2025 World Series ring cemented his arrival on the biggest stage in baseball.
KBO League Highlights
During eight seasons with the Nexen and Kiwoom Heroes, Kim won KBO Golden Glove Awards in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, becoming the only player in league history to capture the honor at both shortstop and second base. He also paced the KBO in stolen bases during the 2021 campaign, a season that announced his arrival as one of the league’s top table-setters. His final Heroes season in 2024 featured career-highs in home runs (11) and RBI (75) and served as a springboard for his move to Major League Baseball.
Other Achievements
Before turning pro, Kim earned the prestigious Lee Young-min Batting Award in 2016, recognizing him as the top-hitting high school player in South Korea. He also represented South Korea at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where he added an international medal to his growing list of accomplishments.
Hyeseong Kim Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kim was raised in Incheon, South Korea, and developed his love for baseball in a country where the sport has long been a national passion. He is the only KBO player to receive the Golden Glove Award at both shortstop and second base. He was part of the same 2017 KBO draft class as Lee Jung-hoo, and the pair later became teammates and friends with the Heroes.
2025 Season Performance
Kim’s 2025 season was a story of patience, adjustment, and triumph. After signing his $12.5 million contract in January, he opened the year in Triple-A Oklahoma City before earning a May promotion to Los Angeles. He finished the regular season batting .280 with three home runs, 17 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 71 games, a respectable output for a rookie learning the nuances of major-league pitching.
The postseason elevated Kim’s profile, as his speed made him a weapon off the bench in tight games. His pinch-running cameo in the National League Division Series turned into the play of the series, and his brief but impactful appearance in Game 7 of the World Series made him a World Series champion in his rookie year. Combined with his smooth defense in the middle infield, those October moments suggested that Kim’s best MLB years are still ahead of him.
