Padres Sign Lefty Kyle Hart After Stellar 2024 Season in South Korea

Left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart has signed with the San Diego Padres following an outstanding 2024 season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Hart, 32, impressed in South Korea, posting a 13-3 record with a 2.69 ERA and leading the league with 182 strikeouts in 157 innings. His performance earned him the prestigious Choi Dong-won Award, which is given to the KBO's best pitcher, solidifying his reputation as one of the top arms in the league.
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Hart, originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2016, has spent much of his career in the minor leagues, with brief appearances in MLB in 2020. His success in the KBO has caught the attention of multiple MLB teams, and the Padres have secured his services for the 2025 season, with a club option for 2026. The financial details of the contract have not been disclosed, but Hart’s return to the big leagues marks a major milestone in his career.