The Score Selection 1st place: Juan Soto
Korean major leaguer Kim Ha-seong (29, San Diego Padres) ranked 15th in the ‘prospective free agent (FA)’ rankings.
On the 5th (Korean time), The Score, an American sports media outlet, ranked players who could appear in the free agent market next winter from 1st to 20th.
Ha-seong Kim was ranked 15th.
The media introduced, “Kim Ha-seong has a mutual option with the club for the 2025 season, but since it is unlikely to be implemented, he is expected to become a free agent next winter.”
Ha-seong Kim signed a 4+1 year contract worth up to $39 million (about 51.92 billion won) with San Diego ahead of the 2021 season. If he remains in San Diego in 2025, the fifth year of his contract, he will receive an annual salary of $8 million (about 10.65 billion won), but Ha-seong Kim, whose value has already risen significantly, is likely to declare free agency.
The media predicted, “Ha-seong Kim is an interesting shortstop with stable but unremarkable hitting, excellent base running, and excellent defense that won a Gold Glove Award,” and added, “The fact that he is younger than other free agent infielders will also work to Ha-seong Kim’s advantage.” .
Ha-seong Kim, who entered the big league in 2021, remained a backup infielder in his first season of debut, but leaped to become a starting infielder thanks to his solid defense. Last year, he was the team's starting second baseman and also played shortstop and third base, becoming the first Asian infielder to win a Gold Glove.
He also showed gradual improvement in batting, and last year had a batting average of 0.260, 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and 38 stolen bases.
Local media predict that Ha-seong Kim will sign a contract worth $100 million (about 133.13 billion won) when he hits the free agent market next winter.
Meanwhile, The Score selected Juan Soto as first in the preliminary free agent rankings and Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) as second. Alex Brogman (Houston Astros) ranked third. 19가이드03