Kiwoom Heroes Set to Post Infielder Hyeseong Kim for MLB Negotiations

Infielder Hyeseong Kim is expected to be officially posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Wednesday at noon Eastern/11am Central, as reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Once the posting is official, a 30-day window will open during which all MLB clubs can negotiate with Kim and his representatives. If no agreement is reached within that time frame, Kim will return to the Heroes for the 2025 season. While the NPB posting window has been extended to 45 days, KBO players still adhere to a 30-day negotiation period.

Kim, who turns 26 in January, indicated last week that the formal posting process was about a week away, and it appears that timeline is accurate. Once posted, Kim will be considered a "professional" under MLB rules, as he meets the criteria of being at least 25 years old and having at least six years of experience in a foreign league. This designation allows Kim to sign a deal of any length or dollar amount, unlike younger players like Roki Sasaki, who are subject to international bonus pool restrictions.

While Kim may not command a massive contract, he is expected to attract interest from MLB teams. Known for his reliable defense, Kim offers a skillset similar to that of his former double-play partner, Ha-Seong Kim, though the two are not related. Hyeseong Kim has primarily played shortstop and second base, with occasional appearances at third base and in the outfield corners.

Offensively, Hyeseong Kim's numbers are slightly below those of Ha-Seong Kim. Over eight KBO seasons, Hyeseong has posted a .304/.364/.403 slash line, whereas Ha-Seong recorded a .294/.373/.493 line in his seven KBO seasons. Although their batting averages and on-base percentages are comparable, Ha-Seong has a clear advantage in slugging power. Hyeseong hit a career-high 11 home runs in 2024, while Ha-Seong consistently hit 19 or more homers in his final six KBO seasons, including a 30-home run season in his last year.

​As the posting process begins, MLB teams will evaluate Kim's potential contributions to their rosters. His defensive versatility and solid offensive performance in the KBO make him a noteworthy candidate for MLB clubs looking to strengthen their infield.