The Korea Baseball Group introduced final night time that MLB has tendered standing checks on two gamers: second baseman Hyeseong Kim and first baseman/catcher Baek-Ho Kang (h/t to Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.internet). That signifies each gamers are on the radar of at the least one MLB workforce, although solely Kim appears more likely to make the leap this offseason.
A standing verify is the method used when an MLB workforce reveals curiosity in a Korean participant. MLB doesn’t reveal the identification of the workforce or groups that requested the verify. It’s not an official opening of the posting course of, which begins a 30-day window for a KBO participant to barter with huge league golf equipment.
The standing verify doesn’t imply {that a} participant goes to return to MLB, although it’s a mandatory first step for any participant who ultimately does so. Final offseason, standing checks presaged postings and MLB offers for Jung Hoo Lee and Woo-Suk Go. MLB additionally carried out a standing verify on free agent reliever Deok Ju Ham, however he elected to re-sign along with his KBO workforce just a few weeks later.
Concerning Kim, the standing verify is a formality. The lefty-hitting infielder (to not be confused with MLB free agent Ha-Seong Kim) has ready for a transfer to MLB since final winter. Kim has performed elements of eight KBO seasons with the Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes. The Heroes introduced in January that they’d make him accessible to main league golf equipment throughout the 2024-25 offseason through the posting system. Kim employed CAA as his illustration in June.
The 25-year-old hit .326/.383/.458 throughout 567 plate appearances this yr. He’s a profession .304/.364/.403 hitter. KBO pitching is way weaker than it’s on the main league degree. Scouting stories typically recommend Kim profiles as a utility participant. MLB groups enamored along with his glove may view him as a low-end common at second base. He doesn’t have a ton of energy upside, as this yr’s 11 residence runs characterize a profession excessive. Kim will very possible be posted later within the offseason. Final yr, the Heroes waited till early December to publish Lee. The LG Twins did the identical with Go.
Kang, who performs for the KT Wiz, is reportedly not inquisitive about pursuing an MLB alternative at the moment. Kurtz factors to a Korean-language report from Sports activities Kyunghang during which workforce officers say that they confirmed with Kang that he intends to stay with the Wiz regardless of the standing verify. (The standing verify is just a sign that an MLB workforce is within the participant, not the opposite manner round.) Kang hit 26 residence runs with a .289/.360/.480 batting line this season. FanGraphs wrote final offseason that Kang had plus energy however projected as a primary baseman with questions on his pure hitting potential as an MLB prospect.
