The Korea Baseball Group introduced final evening 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 not less than one MLB staff, although solely Kim appears prone to make the soar this offseason.
A standing verify is the method used when an MLB staff reveals curiosity in a Korean participant. MLB doesn’t reveal the identification of the staff 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 large league golf equipment.
The standing verify doesn’t imply {that a} participant goes to come back to MLB, although it’s a vital first step for any participant who finally 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 together with his KBO staff 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 components of eight KBO seasons with the Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes. The Heroes introduced in January that they’d make him obtainable to main league golf equipment in the course of the 2024-25 offseason by way of 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 far weaker than it’s on the main league stage. Scouting experiences usually recommend Kim profiles as a utility participant. MLB groups enamored together with his glove might 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 doubtless be posted later within the offseason. Final yr, the Heroes waited till early December to submit Lee. The LG Twins did the identical with Go.
Kang, who performs for the KT Wiz, is reportedly not excited by pursuing an MLB alternative right now. Kurtz factors to a Korean-language report from Sports activities Kyunghang by which staff officers say that they confirmed with Kang that he intends to stay with the Wiz regardless of the standing verify. (The standing verify is simply a sign that an MLB staff is within the participant, not the opposite approach 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 capability as an MLB prospect.
