Hyeseong Kim Bio
Hyeseong Kim (Korean: 김혜성; born January 27, 1999) is a South Korean professional baseball player who serves as a second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed “The Comet,” Kim has built a reputation as one of the fastest players in professional baseball, combining elite defensive skills with basestealing ability. He previously spent seven seasons in the KBO League with the Kiwoom Heroes, where he established himself as one of the most complete players in Korean baseball history. Kim made his highly anticipated MLB debut on May 3, 2025, with the Dodgers, marking a significant milestone in his career trajectory. In his rookie season, Kim became only the second Korean-born player to win a World Series, joining Byung-hyun Kim, and the first position player from Korea to accomplish the feat.
Early Life and Background
Kim was born on January 27, 1999, in Incheon, South Korea, where he attended Dongsan High School. During his high school career, Kim developed into an exceptional hitter, drawing attention from professional scouts across the country. His offensive prowess was recognized in 2016 when he received the Lee Young-min Batting Award, an honor bestowed upon the top-hitting high school player in all of South Korea. This accolade served as a strong indicator of his future professional potential and set the stage for his transition to professional baseball.
Growing up in Incheon, Kim was exposed to baseball from an early age, honing the skills that would eventually make him a standout at multiple defensive positions. His combination of speed, hand-eye coordination, and defensive instincts made him a highly versatile prospect. The foundation built during his formative years in South Korea’s baseball-crazy culture would prove instrumental in his rapid development through the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Baseball
Kim’s exceptional high school performance led to his selection in the 2017 KBO Draft, where the Nexen Heroes chose him in the second round. He was part of a notable draft class that also included Lee Jung-hoo, with whom Kim would later become teammates and friends during their professional careers. The transition from high school directly to professional baseball presented challenges typical for young players, but Kim’s work ethic and natural abilities allowed him to adapt quickly to the demands of elite competition.
His selection by Nexen Heroes represented the beginning of a seven-year journey through the Korean baseball system that would ultimately prepare him for the global stage of Major League Baseball. The Heroes organization invested significant developmental resources in Kim, recognizing his potential to become a cornerstone player. His path from high school standout to professional athlete exemplified the merit-based system that identifies and develops talent in South Korean baseball.
Hyeseong Kim Career
KBO Career (2017–2024)
Kim made his professional debut on June 28, 2017, against the NC Dinos, appearing in six games before being assigned to the KBO Futures League, the developmental minor league circuit. He returned to the major roster on September 1 and concluded his rookie season with 16 games played, posting a batting average of .188 and an OPS of .548. The limited playing time provided valuable learning experiences as he adjusted to professional pitching and the mental demands of the game.
The 2018 season marked Kim’s emergence as an everyday player, as he became a starter for the Heroes and appeared in 138 games. He demonstrated significant improvement at the plate, recording a batting average of .270 with an OPS of .695. This breakthrough season established him as a core member of the franchise’s future plans and hinted at the elite-level production that would define his KBO tenure.
Kiwoom Heroes Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Following the team’s rebranding to Kiwoom Heroes in 2019, Kim continued his upward trajectory, developing into one of the most complete players in the KBO. His defensive excellence earned him the first of four consecutive KBO Golden Glove Awards, spanning from 2021 through 2024. Remarkably, Kim became the only player in KBO history to receive the Golden Glove Award at both shortstop and second base, showcasing his exceptional versatility across the middle infield.
In 2021, Kim led the KBO in stolen bases, demonstrating the speed that earned him the “Comet” nickname. His overall performance that season solidified his status as one of the league’s premium talents. Over his seven seasons with the Heroes, Kim accumulated a batting average of .304 with 1,043 hits, 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, and 211 stolen bases across 953 games played. His consistency and two-way excellence made him invaluable to the organization.
Kim’s final season in the KBO proved to be his most productive. In 2024, he played 127 games while slashing .326/.383/.458, recording career highs in home runs (11) and RBIs (75) while adding 30 stolen bases. His exceptional performance made him one of the most sought-after international free agents. On December 4, 2024, the Heroes officially posted Kim to MLB, allowing him to pursue his dream of playing in the majors.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2025–Present)
On January 3, 2025, Kim signed a three-year contract worth $12.5 million guaranteed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the deal including two additional option years that could increase the total value to $22 million. The Dodgers also paid a $2.5 million posting fee to the Kiwoom Heroes for the rights to negotiate with Kim. This contract reflected the organization’s belief in his potential to contribute at the major league level.
After struggling during spring training, Kim began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers’ top minor league affiliate. He received his major league call-up on May 3, 2025, making his MLB debut as a defensive replacement against the Atlanta Braves. Kim recorded his first major league hit on May 5 against Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored in his first career start. He hit his first MLB home run on May 14 against the Athletics.
Kim spent the entire month of August on the injured list due to left shoulder bursitis but returned to action on September 2. Despite missing significant time, he finished his rookie season with a batting average of .280, three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases across 71 games. His defensive versatility allowed the Dodgers to utilize him at multiple positions as he worked to establish himself in the lineup.
Defensive Versatility and Strengths
Kim’s primary defensive position is second base, where his quick hands and range made him an elite defender in the KBO. However, his defensive capabilities extend well beyond the keystone, as he has also excelled at shortstop and center field throughout his career. His arm strength, footwork, and baseball instincts enable him to transition seamlessly between positions, providing invaluable roster flexibility for his team. His speed translates to both defensive range and basestealing ability, making him a complete player rather than a one-dimensional talent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kim’s 2025 postseason appearances were limited but historic. In Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he entered as a pinch runner in the bottom of the 11th inning and scored the series-winning run when relief pitcher Orion Kerkering committed a throwing error. In Game 7 of the World Series, Kim recorded the first putout in the bottom of the 11th inning as the Dodgers clinched the championship, making him the first Korean position player to win a World Series title.
Hyeseong Kim Career Statistics
Kim compiled impressive statistics across his seven seasons in the KBO before making the transition to Major League Baseball. His career batting average of .304 reflects consistent excellence at the plate, while his 211 career stolen bases in the KBO demonstrate his elite speed. The 1,043 hits and 386 RBIs accumulated during his time with the Heroes underscore his value as an offensive contributor alongside his defensive prowess.
KBO League Highlights
In the KBO, Kim established himself as one of the most complete players in the league’s modern era. His 953 games played produced 1,043 hits with a .304 batting average, 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, and 211 stolen bases. The four consecutive Golden Glove Awards from 2021 to 2024 validated his status as a premier defender, while his 2021 stolen base title confirmed his speed as a genuine weapon.
Major League Baseball Performance
Through his first seasons in MLB, Kim has demonstrated the ability to compete at the highest level of professional baseball. His 2025 rookie campaign produced a .280 batting average with three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases across 71 games. His postseason contributions, including scoring the series-winning run in the NLDS and appearing in the decisive Game 7 of the World Series, provided glimpses of his potential to be a difference-maker in championship situations.
| League | BA | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBO (2017–2024) | .304 | 37 | 386 | 211 |
| MLB (2025–Present) | .290 | 4 | 25 | 18 |
Hyeseong Kim Family
Personal Life
Kim grew up in Incheon, South Korea, where his baseball journey began at Dongsan High School. While detailed information about his family remains private, his close friendship with fellow Korean baseball star Lee Jung-hoo, whom he was drafted alongside in 2017, has been publicly documented. The two players shared a bond that extended from their amateur days through their professional careers in the KBO. Kim’s presence on social media includes an Instagram account where he shares glimpses of his professional life with fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Kim’s rookie campaign in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After beginning the year in Triple-A Oklahoma City, he earned his promotion to the majors in early May and immediately began making an impact. His first major league hit came against Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins, a moment that marked the culmination of his journey from Incheon high school prospect to MLB player.
Kim’s season was interrupted by a month-long stint on the injured list due to left shoulder bursitis, which temporarily halted his momentum. Upon his return in September, he saw reduced playing time as the Dodgers navigated the postseason stretch. Despite the injury setback, he maintained a solid .280 batting average across 71 games while contributing 13 stolen bases and demonstrating his defensive versatility at multiple positions.
Kim’s postseason experience proved invaluable for his development, as he appeared in both the NLDS and World Series during the Dodgers’ championship run. His series-winning run in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies provided a memorable moment, while his role in Game 7 of the World Series etched his name in baseball history as the first Korean position player to win a World Series. The 2025 season established a strong foundation for Kim as he looks to build upon his initial MLB success in the years ahead.