The Cincinnati Reds have made a few moves this offseason to bolster their roster for 2025. Their most notable changes have come via trades. They acquired starting pitcher Brady Singer from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Jonathan India and minor leaguer Joey Wiemer. Additionally, they traded for backup catcher Jose Trevino, sending reliever Fernando Cruz and minor league catcher Alex Jackson to the New York Yankees. While the Reds haven’t been active in free agency yet, rumors suggest they are interested in Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim.
According to Sports N Plus, a Korean YouTube channel, multiple teams have made offers to Kim, with the Reds among them. A decision is expected soon, as Kim must finalize an agreement by January 3rd at 5 p.m. ET. MLB Trade Rumors previously projected a three-year, $24 million deal for Kim, while Sports N Plus estimated closer to three years and $20 million. If signed for under $25 million, the team would also need to pay 20% of the contract’s value to Kim’s KBO team, the Kiwoom Heroes, as a transfer fee.
Kim, turning 26 soon, is regarded as more of a defensive asset than a power hitter at the major league level. However, he has posted his best offensive seasons in recent years. In 2023, he hit .335/.396/.446 with seven home runs in 137 games, followed by .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs in 127 games in 2024. It’s worth noting that the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) tends to favor hitters, with the league’s OPS average jumping from .712 in 2023 to .772 in 2024, alongside a significant increase in home runs. Former Reds player Matt Davidson, for instance, showcased this trend by hitting .306/.370/.633 with 46 home runs in the KBO in 2024 after a subpar 2023 season in Japan.
Kim’s standout skill on offense lies in his baserunning. Over his 952-game career, he’s stolen 211 bases while being caught just 37 times, demonstrating both speed and efficiency. Defensively, he has played primarily at second base and shortstop, with some limited experience in left field earlier in his career.
While his lack of power may limit his role as an everyday starter, Kim’s speed, defensive versatility, and strong contact-hitting ability (just 62 strikeouts in 567 plate appearances in 2024) make him a promising bench option. Whether his skills can transition effectively to MLB pitching remains to be seen, but he could provide value as a utility player.
Leave a Reply