2019 WBSC Premier12 Korean star shortstop Kim Ha-seong inks $28m deal with San Diego Padres

2019 WBSC Premier12 Korean star shortstop Kim Ha-seong inks $28m deal with San Diego Padres
13/01/2021
The deal is reportedly worth four years and US$ 28 million.

The San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB) agreed to terms with Korean KIM Ha-seong, the All-World shortstop of the WBSC Premier12 2019. The four-year deal is reportedly worth US$ 28 million.

Kim, 25 years old, was made available through the posting system by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league. He batted .306 with 30 home runs, 109 RBIs and stole 23 bases during the KBO 2020 season.

Kim was Korea's starting shortstop at the WBSC Premier12 2019. He had nine hits, including a home run in the final against Japan, over 27 at-bats, for a .333 batting average.

Kim played both shortstop and third base in the KBO. He is very likely to switch to second base for the Padres. San Diego already has superstars Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado at shortstop and third base.