Ha-Seong Kim Bio
Ha-Seong Kim is a South Korean professional baseball infielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays, and in the KBO League for the Nexen Heroes. Kim was drafted 41st overall by the Heroes in the 2014 KBO League Draft and made his professional debut in May 2014. Over his career, he has established himself as an exceptional defensive player, winning multiple Golden Glove Awards in both leagues. In 2023, Kim became the first Korean-born player to win a Gold Glove Award in MLB.
Early Life and Background
Kim was born on October 17, 1995, in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. He is the youngest of three children in his family. Kim attended Yatap High School in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where he developed into a standout baseball player during his high school years.
In his final high school season in 2013, Kim led his team to a runner-up finish in the national high school baseball tournament. He hit for a .375 batting average with a .477 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases, showcasing the two-way skills that would define his professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
Kim entered the 2014 KBO League Draft and was selected 41st overall by the Nexen Heroes. His selection marked the beginning of his professional career. He made his KBO debut in May 2014 and began his professional journey as a bench player before steadily earning more playing time.
Kim quickly distinguished himself with his defensive excellence and baseball instincts. By his second season in 2015, he had become the starting shortstop for the Heroes and continued to develop his offensive capabilities alongside his already strong defensive game.
Ha-Seong Kim Career
Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes (2014–2020)
Kim made his KBO debut on May 18, 2014, in Game 3 against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium. He recorded his first professional hit as a substitute, hitting a double in his first at-bat and a triple in his second. Kim hit his first professional home run on June 4, 2014, against pitcher Lee Tae-yang of the NC Dinos. In his rookie season, he split time between the starting lineup and bench, learning from veteran shortstop Kang Jung-ho while gaining valuable professional experience.
In the 2015 season, Kim took over as the starting shortstop and began showcasing his defensive brilliance. He recorded his first walk-off home run on June 6, 2015, against the Doosan Bears, hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to complete a comeback from an 8-0 deficit. Kim finished the 2015 season with strong defensive metrics and emerged as one of the most promising young shortstops in the league.
KBO Breakthrough and Dominance (2016–2020)
Kim experienced a breakout season in 2016, hitting his first grand slam on May 18 against the Hanwha Eagles. On June 18 against the Hanwha Eagles, he recorded his first multi-home-run game with two homers and four RBI in a 7-5 victory over the Kia Tigers. He achieved the prestigious 20-20 club by joining Kang Jung-ho as shortstops to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.
In 2017, Kim continued his offensive production, recording his fifth grand slam of the season against the Hanwha Eagles on May 18. His second multi-home-run game came against the Kia Tigers on June 9. Kim finished the 2017 season with career highs in batting average and total hits, establishing himself as one of the most complete shortstops in the KBO.
The 2018 season marked Kim’s first KBO Golden Glove Award. He was named the All-Star Game MVP after hitting two home runs and driving in four runs. Kim won his first military service exemption by helping South Korea win the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, where he contributed a crucial three-run home run against Japan in the final.
Kim won his second consecutive Golden Glove Award in 2019. On September 14, he hit his 30th home run of the season against the KT Wiz, becoming the second shortstop in KBO history to reach the 30-100-100 milestone (30 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 runs). His defensive WAR ranked first in the league, and his 7.22 WAR was the seventh highest for a shortstop in a single season in KBO history.
In the 2020 season, Kim won his third consecutive KBO Golden Glove Award, posting a .294 batting average with 30 home runs, 120 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. His exceptional two-way performance solidified his status as the best shortstop in the league. After the season, the Heroes announced they would allow Kim to enter the posting system to pursue a career in MLB.
San Diego Padres (2021–2024)
On December 31, 2020, Kim signed with the San Diego Padres of MLB for a four-year, $28 million deal. He made his major-league debut on April 1, 2021, pinch-hitting against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kim hit his first MLB home run on April 10, 2021, in a 7-4 victory over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. When Fernando Tatís Jr. was placed on the injured list in late July 2021, Kim took over as the starting shortstop and immediately delivered, hitting a home run and driving in three runs in his first start filling that role. He finished the 2021 season batting .202 with eight home runs, 34 RBI, and six stolen bases in 117 games.
In the 2022 season, Kim appeared in 150 games and posted a .251 batting average with 11 home runs, 59 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He served primarily as the starting shortstop following Tatís’s suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. On August 26, 2022, Kim recorded a career-high five RBI against the Kansas City Royals.
The 2023 season proved to be Kim’s most productive MLB campaign. He hit his first MLB walk-off home run on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. On July 24, he recorded his first MLB multi-home-run game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On August 21, Kim hit his first major league grand slam against the Miami Marlins. In 152 games, he slashed .260/.351/.398 with 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and 38 stolen bases. After the 2023 season, Kim received the National League Gold Glove Award for utility players, becoming the first Korean player to win a Gold Glove in MLB history.
In 2024, Kim played 121 games for the Padres, batting .233/.330/.370 with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. A shoulder injury required surgery and caused him to miss the Padres’ postseason run. He declined his mutual option on November 4, 2024, and became a free agent.
Tampa Bay Rays (2025)
On February 3, 2025, Kim signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that included an opt-out clause after one season. He began the year on the injured list as he continued to recover from the shoulder surgery performed in 2024. Kim was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 9. He was activated from the injured list on July 3 to make his Rays debut. He returned to the injured list in late August due to back trouble.
Atlanta Braves (2025–Present)
On September 1, 2025, Kim was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. He started at shortstop the following night and hit his first home run as a Brave the day after that against Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Pomeranz. Kim finished the 2025 season with the Braves, hitting five home runs and driving in 17 runs in limited action. Following the season, he declined the mutual option in his contract and became a free agent.
On December 15, 2025, Kim re-signed with the Braves on a one-year contract worth $20 million. On January 18, 2026, it was reported that Kim would miss four to five months after undergoing hand surgery for a torn tendon in his right middle finger suffered after falling on ice. He was activated for his season debut on May 11, 2026.
International Career
Kim has represented the South Korea national baseball team in multiple international tournaments. He played at the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, where he batted .433 with three RBI in five games. Kim participated in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and the 2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship. He earned a gold medal and military service exemption at the 2018 Asian Games. Kim was named the best shortstop at the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament and played for South Korea at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Ha-Seong Kim Career Highlights
Kim has built an impressive statistical record across both the KBO and MLB. In his seven seasons in the KBO, he established himself as one of the most complete shortstops in the league’s history.
KBO Highlights
Kim’s KBO career spanned seven seasons from 2014 to 2020 with the Nexen and Kiwoom Heroes. He compiled a .294 batting average with 133 home runs and 575 RBI across 908 games. His signature achievements include three consecutive 20-20 seasons from 2016 to 2018, making him the first shortstop in KBO history to accomplish this feat. Kim recorded his 30th home run of the 2019 season on September 14 against the KT Wiz, becoming only the second shortstop in KBO history to reach the 30-100-100 milestone. His most recent KBO season in 2020 saw him post a .294/.394/.554 slash line with 30 home runs, 120 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.
MLB Highlights
Through his MLB career, Kim has established himself as a valuable two-way player. His signature MLB moment came in 2023 when he became the first Korean-born player to win the Gold Glove Award. Kim hit his first MLB walk-off home run on April 3, 2023, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His 2023 season represented his best MLB performance, with a .260 batting average, 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and 38 stolen bases in 152 games.
| League | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBO (2014–2020) | 908 | .294 | 133 | 575 | 93 |
| MLB (2021–2026) | 594 | .235 | 52 | 220 | 85 |
Ha-Seong Kim Family
Family Background and Lineage
Kim was born in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, as the youngest of three children. He grew up in a baseball family and attended Yatap High School in Seongnam, where he developed his skills as a shortstop and two-way player. His high school career laid the foundation for his professional success, with his standout performance in 2013 leading his team to the national tournament runner-up finish.
Personal Life
Kim has represented South Korea with distinction at multiple international tournaments throughout his career. His accomplishments include participation in the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, the 2017 World Baseball Classic, the 2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship, the 2018 Asian Games where he won gold and earned military service exemption, the 2019 WBSC Premier12, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Kim currently plays for the Atlanta Braves and is under contract through the 2027 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a year of transition for Kim as he moved through three different organizations. He began the year with the Tampa Bay Rays after signing a two-year, $29 million contract in February. However, his season was immediately impacted by the shoulder injury that required continued recovery from the 2024 surgery. Kim did not make his Rays debut until July 3 due to his placement on the injured list. He returned to the injured list in late August with back trouble, limiting his impact with Tampa Bay.
Kim’s fortunes changed when the Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers on September 1, 2025. He made an immediate impact, starting at shortstop the following night and hitting his first home run as a Brave in his second game with the team. Kim finished strong with five home runs and 17 RBI in limited action with Atlanta. Following the season, he declined a mutual option and tested free agency before re-signing with the Braves on December 15 on a one-year, $20 million contract.
The 2026 season began with challenges for Kim when he suffered a torn tendon in his right middle finger after falling on ice in January. He underwent hand surgery and was expected to miss four to five months. Kim returned to action on May 11, 2026, and resumed his contributions as a contact hitter with defensive versatility at both shortstop and third base. His career trajectory shows resilience through adversity as he continues to compete at the highest level of professional baseball.