Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to be Posted

[Eye Black]

Kiwoom Heroes shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the KBO will be posted after the season. He is soon to be 25 years old and both Kyle Glaser of Baseball America and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN have noted that he should be considered a top 100 prospect in baseball once he joins an organization.

 

Below is some additional information on Kim.

 

MLB Trade Rumors article:

The Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization will post star shortstop Ha-Seong Kim for Major League clubs this winter, MLBTR has learned. He’d previously voiced a desire to be posted, and the team plans to honor those wishes this winter. All 30 Major League clubs will have the opportunity to bid on the infielder, who’ll turn just 25 years old next week.

 

Kim’s youth sets him apart from most other players who have made the jump from the KBO (or Japan’s NPB) to the Major Leagues. Current rules in the KBO stipulate that a player cannot be posted until he has accrued seven years of service time. Unrestricted free agency is granted after nine years. Kim’s first full season in the KBO came at just 18 years of age, however, which has him on pace to become available to MLB clubs a few years sooner than most of his peers. He’ll still meet the minimum age (25) and experience (at least six years) requirements set by Major League Baseball in order to be considered a professional rather than an amateur, meaning he can sign a Major League deal of any length and any amount.

 

While Kim didn’t hit much in that aforementioned rookie season — not surprising given his age — he’s been an average or better bat each year since, by measure of wRC+. However, it’s been the past two years in which Kim has taken his game to a new level. Baseball America’s Kyle Glaser wrote back in early May that Kim would be a Top 100 prospect if he signed at that point, and that was before Kim built on his 2019 breakout with a .304/.396/.522 slash in his first 551 plate appearances in 2020.

 

Dating back to Opening Day 2019, Kim is a .306/.392/.505 hitter — good for a 141 wRC+. In 2020, Kim has slugged a career-high 27 homers, walked more often than he’s struck out (67 to 58) and gone a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen bases. Over the past two seasons, he’s swiped 64 bags in 68 tries. Kim has also won multiple Gold Glove Awards for his work at shortstop in Korea and has some experience at third base. Given his age and 2019-20 breakout, he should draw interest from a wide range of Major League teams.

 

For those who need a refresher or who are unfamiliar with the posting process, the latest set of rules agreed upon between MLB and the KBO stipulate that all 30 clubs will be able to negotiate with Kim. The posting fee paid to the Heroes will be tied directly to the size of the contract signed by Kim. It is a separate sum that is paid out to the Heroes as opposed to an amount that is subtracted from Kim’s eventual contract. A signing team would pay 20 percent of the contract’s first $25MM to the Heroes, plus 17.5 percent of the next $25MM and an additional 15 percent on any dollars guaranteed beyond $50MM.

 

With regard to contractual options and incentives, those clauses are also subject to subsequent fees. A Major League team would only be immediately responsible for posting/release fees on the guaranteed portion of the contract. But if Kim’s new team in the Majors exercised a club option for the 2025 or 2026 season, for instance, that team would owe a supplemental fee to the Heroes once that option is picked up.

 

 

Baseball America article & scouting report:

The top player in the Korea Baseball Organization will soon be available to major league clubs.

 

Kiwoom Heroes shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the KBO in May, will be posted after the season, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors. Kim, who is in his seventh KBO season and turns 25 next week, will be exempt from the international bonus pools, meaning he can sign a major league contract without restrictions. A righthanded hitter, Kim ranks ninth in the league in OBP and 11th in slugging, batting .310/.401/.531 with 28 home runs, 69 walks, 60 strikeouts and 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts through 576 plate appearances.

 

He’s a 24-year-old shortstop who hit .307/.389/.491 with 19 home runs, 104 RBI and 33 stolen bases in 37 attempts for Kiwoom last year. Kim is a solid all-around player who projects to stick at shortstop. He is a good athlete with good instincts at the position and has the average arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield. He projects to be an above-average hitter and has enough power to hit 12-15 home runs per year in the majors. Kim is likely to face an adjustment period at the plate when he first arrives in the U.S., but he has the athleticism and twitch to adjust and eventually hit major league velocity. He is a plus runner who adds value on the bases as well. Kim projects to be an everyday shortstop who makes an impact on both sides of the ball and on the basepaths. He would be a Top 100 Prospect if he signed today.

 

 

[nate82]

I would like to see the Brewers sign him but I don't think they will.

[Madhawk23]

Yeah, would love to see us get involved here, but I'd give it almost a zero percent chance that we do.

[sveumrules]

Kim is definitely intriguing. Between him, Didi, Semien & Andrelton the SS class is kind of sneaky deep this winter.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if Simmons had to settle for a one year prove it deal since defense has always been his calling card & he put up middling marks in the field for the first time ever in the abbreviated season.

 

Andrelton's contact ability is also pretty elite. His 8.4 K% is the lowest out of 164 batters with at least 1,000 PAs since 2018, & despite having no power & not really walking, his 282/328/391 line is good for a near league average 97 wRC+ over that time.

[Eye Black]

Kim is definitely intriguing. Between him, Didi, Semien & Andrelton the SS class is kind of sneaky deep this winter.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if Simmons had to settle for a one year prove it deal since defense has always been his calling card & he put up middling marks in the field for the first time ever in the abbreviated season.

 

Andrelton's contact ability is also pretty elite. His 8.4 K% is the lowest out of 164 batters with at least 1,000 PAs since 2018, & despite having no power & not really walking, his 282/328/391 line is good for a near league average 97 wRC+ over that time.

This is a really good point regarding the SS market, and Francisco Lindor is also expected to be traded this offseason.

 

The initial post was more of a PSA than a suggestion that Kim was a likely option for the Brewers, but if they do look for outside help at shortstop this offseason then every added option at the position helps the likelihood for a team like the Brewers to add one of them.

[pacopete4]

#OrlandoArciaForever

[MrTPlush]

Judging by our luck with SS prospects in the Top 100 (or former) this century I think we should just sign a veteran to man the position...I think we are just cursed at this point.

[Jopal78]

I'd pass on KBO players; its an inferior league talent-wise compared to the majors. Thames had a significantly better slash line in the KBO, his OPS since returning to America is 300 points below what he put up in the KBO.

[Eye Black]

There were 10 teams that had negative Wins Above Average (according to Baseball-Reference) at the shortstop position during this shortened 2020 season. Listed below from worst-to-"less worse":

 

Reds (-0.8 WAA)

Pirates (-0.8)

Brewers (-0.6)

Royals (-0.6)

Rangers (-0.5)

Twins (-0.5)

A's (-0.4)

Tigers (-0.3)

Mets (-0.3)

Yankees (-0.1)

[wibadgers23]

What kind of a contract do we think Semien is going to get? I’d like to go after him.

[Jopal78]

There were 10 teams that had negative Wins Above Average (according to Baseball-Reference) at the shortstop position during this shortened 2020 season. Listed below from worst-to-"less worse":

 

Reds (-0.8 WAA)

Pirates (-0.8)

Brewers (-0.6)

Royals (-0.6)

Rangers (-0.5)

Twins (-0.5)

A's (-0.4)

Tigers (-0.3)

Mets (-0.3)

Yankees (-0.1)

 

I guess there's the indication of what a flop the Urias/Lauer trade was. He couldn't supplant Arcia as the everyday shortstop despite them being terrible at the position overall.

[Smichaelis9]

There were 10 teams that had negative Wins Above Average (according to Baseball-Reference) at the shortstop position during this shortened 2020 season. Listed below from worst-to-"less worse":

 

Reds (-0.8 WAA)

Pirates (-0.8)

Brewers (-0.6)

Royals (-0.6)

Rangers (-0.5)

Twins (-0.5)

A's (-0.4)

Tigers (-0.3)

Mets (-0.3)

Yankees (-0.1)

 

I guess there's the indication of what a flop the Urias/Lauer trade was. He couldn't supplant Arcia as the everyday shortstop despite them being terrible at the position overall.

Still seems pretty early to write that trade off (even though I was a huge Grisham believer and would not have made the trade myself). Urias and Lauer each missed most, if not all of spring training and then the same with Summer Camp as well. Then the fact that it was a 60 game season in which neither ever had much of a sample size, definitely seems premature to be giving up on it. It very well might not work out, but imo let’s give it a little more time at least.

[narwhalattack]

I’d love for us to sign this guy, but I’m expecting him to sign with a west coast team. It’s fun to dream, though.

[JohnBriggs12]

I don't think SS is the biggest hole on the team. It's 3B and it's not close. I'd look at Kim as a 3B. Let's compare Kim to Jung Ho Kang. Kang played SS almost exclusively in KBO, and posted a career .886 OPS in 9 seasons in KBO. In his first couple years in MLB, Kang posted OPS of .816 and .867. Kim has a career .864 OPS in 7 years and theoretically is just coming into his prime. I'd take Kang type numbers (without the baggage thank you). Depends on what the cost would be.

[homer]

There were 10 teams that had negative Wins Above Average (according to Baseball-Reference) at the shortstop position during this shortened 2020 season. Listed below from worst-to-"less worse":

 

Reds (-0.8 WAA)

Pirates (-0.8)

Brewers (-0.6)

Royals (-0.6)

Rangers (-0.5)

Twins (-0.5)

A's (-0.4)

Tigers (-0.3)

Mets (-0.3)

Yankees (-0.1)

 

I guess there's the indication of what a flop the Urias/Lauer trade was. He couldn't supplant Arcia as the everyday shortstop despite them being terrible at the position overall.

 

He's 23 and has played in 124 games.

[Jopal78]

There were 10 teams that had negative Wins Above Average (according to Baseball-Reference) at the shortstop position during this shortened 2020 season. Listed below from worst-to-"less worse":

 

Reds (-0.8 WAA)

Pirates (-0.8)

Brewers (-0.6)

Royals (-0.6)

Rangers (-0.5)

Twins (-0.5)

A's (-0.4)

Tigers (-0.3)

Mets (-0.3)

Yankees (-0.1)

 

I guess there's the indication of what a flop the Urias/Lauer trade was. He couldn't supplant Arcia as the everyday shortstop despite them being terrible at the position overall.

 

He's 23 and has played in 124 games.

 

He could be 20 and have played in 300 games, it’s irrelevant. When you trade away talent from your major league roster to acquire a player, and he subsequently can’t beat out the player he was specifically brought in to replace, I don’t know what else to call it besides a flop. I’ll grant you maybe it’s the 2020 season, but so far Urias has done nothing but legitimize the questions about his ability to hit in the majors.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

He could be 20 and have played in 300 games, it’s irrelevant. When you trade away talent from your major league roster to acquire a player, and he subsequently can’t beat out the player he was specifically brought in to replace, I don’t know what else to call it besides a flop. I’ll grant you maybe it’s the 2020 season, but so far Urias has done nothing but legitimize the questions about his ability to hit in the majors.

 

It's this mentality that would have lead the impatient and misguided to toss away the likes of Burnes (25), Woodruff (27), D Williams(26), etc. Not many players take the league by storm at the age of 23.

 

Woodruff made his leap at age 26. Here is a list of Brewers on the 40 man roster aged 25 and under, any of whom could make a similar leap in years to come...

 

Peralta - 24

Lauer - 25

Rasmussen - 25

Bickford - 25

Nottingham - 25

Hiura - 24

Urias - 23

[sveumrules]

 

I guess there's the indication of what a flop the Urias/Lauer trade was. He couldn't supplant Arcia as the everyday shortstop despite them being terrible at the position overall.

 

He's 23 and has played in 124 games.

 

He could be 20 and have played in 300 games, it’s irrelevant. When you trade away talent from your major league roster to acquire a player, and he subsequently can’t beat out the player he was specifically brought in to replace, I don’t know what else to call it besides a flop. I’ll grant you maybe it’s the 2020 season, but so far Urias has done nothing but legitimize the questions about his ability to hit in the majors.

 

When did Urias have a chance to beat out Arcia? He broke his hamate bone before spring training, then contracted COVID before the restart & by the time he joined the team a quarter of the way through the season Arcia was one of the only guys actually hitting with a .276 average.

[Jopal78]

He could be 20 and have played in 300 games, it’s irrelevant. When you trade away talent from your major league roster to acquire a player, and he subsequently can’t beat out the player he was specifically brought in to replace, I don’t know what else to call it besides a flop. I’ll grant you maybe it’s the 2020 season, but so far Urias has done nothing but legitimize the questions about his ability to hit in the majors.

 

It's this mentality that would have lead the impatient and misguided to toss away the likes of Burnes (25), Woodruff (27), D Williams(26), etc. Not many players take the league by storm at the age of 23.

 

Woodruff made his leap at age 26. Here is a list of Brewers on the 40 man roster aged 25 and under, any of whom could make a similar leap in years to come...

 

Peralta - 24

Lauer - 25

Rasmussen - 25

Bickford - 25

Nottingham - 25

Hiura - 24

Urias - 23

 

That is a false equivalency. First of all, Freddy Peralta was 21 when he debuted for the Brewers and put up quality results. Devin Williams was 24 when he debuted (and had missed a year and

a half with injuries). Nearly every other player you mention, Burnes, Woodruff, Lauer, Rasmussen, Bickford, and Hiura were college players. "Patience" has nothing to do with those players, rather they were all 22 or 23 when they turned professional. Nottingham is going to turn 26 and is a fringe starter/back up caliber catcher. He may not be at his ceiling but more probably true than not he's likely close to it.

 

Which of course brings us back to Urias (and this topic). Only bad teams plug prospects in as regulars before they're close to ready. Thus, when trading for Urias the Brewers likely viewed him more as a finished product than raw talent. Yet, he couldn't beat out Arcia, a player they've been trying to replace since 2018. With legitimate questions about his offensive ability, Urias only profiles at SS, so Milwaukee seems set at that position. Maybe they hope Urias can give them what Arcia does albeit at a pre-arbitration price, but that means they traded major league players away to "stand pat" in terms of production. The future is unknown, maybe he adds 20 lbs of muscle to his 5'9" frame and comes back ripping the ball all over the ballpark, it seems like the odds are against it though.

[sveumrules]

Which of course brings us back to Urias (and this topic). Only bad teams plug prospects in as regulars before they're close to ready. Thus, when trading for Urias the Brewers likely viewed him more as a finished product than raw talent. Yet, he couldn't beat out Arcia, a player they've been trying to replace since 2018. With legitimate questions about his offensive ability, Urias only profiles at SS, so Milwaukee seems set at that position.

 

When the Brewers acquired Urias he was 22 with 300 MLB plate appearances...no one is a finished product at age 22 with 300 plate appearances, so I don't see why the Brewers would have viewed him as one.

 

You keep mentioning that he couldn't beat our Arcia, when did this competition occur?

[homer]

Which of course brings us back to Urias (and this topic). Only bad teams plug prospects in as regulars before they're close to ready. Thus, when trading for Urias the Brewers likely viewed him more as a finished product than raw talent. Yet, he couldn't beat out Arcia, a player they've been trying to replace since 2018. With legitimate questions about his offensive ability, Urias only profiles at SS, so Milwaukee seems set at that position.

 

When the Brewers acquired Urias he was 22 with 300 MLB plate appearances...no one is a finished product at age 22 with 300 plate appearances, so I don't see why the Brewers would have viewed him as one.

 

You keep mentioning that he couldn't beat our Arcia, when did this competition occur?

 

Also the aforementioned broken hamate bone and Covid diagnosis.

 

He basically had no spring training at all. He is not a flop by any stretch of the imagination.

[TURBO]

When have the Brewers stated they have been trying to replace Arcia since 2018?

 

If anyone has had a solid hold on a position on this team it is Arcia. He has been allowed to be one of the worst offensive players in MLB without truly being challenged by anyone to overtake his position.

[JosephC]

History doesn't really give any concrete information regarding how successful a Korean-born player will perform in MLB after going through the posting system. It just hasn't happened very often. Hyun-jin Ryu has been a hit when on the mound, but he's also been hurt a lot. Jung-ho Kang was also pretty good before getting his leg smashed. On the other hand, Byung-ho Park was a massive flop for the Twins.

 

The thing I wonder about Ha-Seong Kim is if the defensive aspect is real. He's won multiple gold gloves, but is that like in America where gold glove awards tend to be based more on reputation (and sometimes flat out ignorance) than actual performance? If he really can field, a team still can get some value out of him if he plays at a plus-plus level at the shortstop position even if he under-performs with the bat.

 

Even in a market where I think owners will sit on money and use COVID-19 as the excuse, I would still think earning the right to bid on Kim would run a minimum of 15 million dollars. The last guy through the Korean posting system, Byung-ho Park, cost the Twins 12.85 million for the right to negotiate (to the Korean team) and then Park got a 4 year, 12 million dollar deal on top of that. So that was a 24.85 million dollar investment for the Twins. When Ryu was posted, the Dodgers paid 25.7 million to negotiate and then another 6 years, 36 million to Ryu. No idea what it will eventually cost to get Kim in the upcoming market, but I'm guessing that when you add the fee that goes to the Korean team, that it will be too rich for the Brewers to be involved.

[Lathund]

There have been some changed fairly recently, IIRC the posting fee is tied to the size of the contract. So we're unlikely to see those $20m+ posting fees anymore. Still, it appears even the Yankees will be crying poor this offseason, so the bidding might not be very fierce.

[Jopal78]

When have the Brewers stated they have been trying to replace Arcia since 2018?

 

If anyone has had a solid hold on a position on this team it is Arcia. He has been allowed to be one of the worst offensive players in MLB without truly being challenged by anyone to overtake his position.

 

I stand corrected, since 2019...

 

SS Orlando Arcia: The Brewers had Arcia on the trade market all offseason and again at the Aug. 31 deadline.... Journal Sentinel