Hyeseong Kim

Hyeseong Kim Bio

Hyeseong Kim (Korean: 김혜성; born January 27, 1999) is a South Korean professional baseball second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed “The Comet”, he is well known for his speed. Kim previously played in the KBO League for the Kiwoom Heroes. He made his MLB debut on May 3, 2025, with the Dodgers. Kim is the only KBO player to receive the Golden Glove Award at shortstop and second base. In 2025, Kim joined Byung-hyun Kim as the second Korean-born player to win a World Series, and the first position player to do so.

Early Life and Background

Hyeseong Kim was born in Incheon, South Korea. Growing up in a city known for its vibrant sports culture, Kim was exposed to baseball at an early age. His passion for the game flourished during his childhood, leading him to pursue a career in professional baseball. He attended Dongsan High School, where he honed his skills and earned recognition as one of the top young talents in South Korea.

Path to Baseball

In 2016, Kim received the Lee Young-min Batting Award, which is given to the top-hitting high school player in South Korea. His impressive performance in high school caught the attention of scouts, and he was drafted by the Nexen Heroes of the KBO League in the second round of the 2017 draft. Kim was part of the same draft class as Lee Jung-hoo, with whom he later became teammates and friends.

Hyeseong Kim Career

Early Career (2017–2024)

Hyeseong Kim made his professional debut on June 28, 2017, against the NC Dinos. In his first season, he played 16 games, recording a batting average of .188. However, he quickly established himself as a starter in the 2018 season, achieving a batting average of .270 in 138 games. Over the years, Kim’s skills continued to improve, culminating in a remarkable KBO career where he recorded a batting average of .304 with 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, and 211 stolen bases in 953 games. He won four KBO Golden Glove Awards for his exceptional defensive abilities.

Breakthrough (2025)

In December 2024, Kim was posted to Major League Baseball (MLB) as a free agent. On January 3, 2025, he signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included two additional option years that could increase the total value to $22 million. After a challenging spring training, Kim started the 2025 season in Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Comets. He was called up to the major leagues on May 3, 2025, and made his MLB debut that night as a defensive replacement against the Atlanta Braves.

Notable Works and Milestones

Kim recorded his first MLB hit on May 5, 2025, against Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins, achieving two hits, an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored in that game. He hit his first MLB home run on May 14, 2025. Despite facing challenges, including a stint on the injured list due to shoulder bursitis, Kim finished the season with a batting average of .280, three home runs, and 17 RBIs in 71 games. He also stole 13 bases. Kim was part of the Dodgers’ postseason roster, contributing to the team’s success in the playoffs.

Hyeseong Kim Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Hyeseong Kim has received several nominations, particularly for his outstanding performance in the KBO League.

Hyeseong Kim Awards Won

Hyeseong Kim has won multiple awards, including the KBO Golden Glove Award for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024 and was recognized as the KBO stolen base leader in 2021.