Ha-seong Kim

Ha-seong Kim (born October 17, 1995) is a South Korean professional baseball shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Kim was drafted 29th overall by the Nexen Heroes in the 2014 Korea Baseball Organization Draft. He made his KBO debut with the Heroes in May 2014 and won the Golden Glove Award in 2018 and 2019. In December 2020, Kim signed with the San Diego Padres.
Early life.
Kim was born on October 17, 1995, in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, the youngest of three children.
Amateur career.
High School.
Kim attended Yatap High School in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, and in 2013 led his high school to a runner-up finish in the National High school Baseball Tournament. In his final high school baseball season, Kim hit for a .375 batting average and recorded a .477 on base percentage along with 20 base steals.
Professional career.
Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes.
Kim was drafted by the Nexen Heroes with the 29th overall of the third round in the 2014 Korea Baseball Organisation Draft out of Yatap High school in Seongnam, Gyeonggi.
On May 18, He made his KBO debut against the Lotte Giants. He hit a double on his first at bat, and a triple on his second at bat. On June 4, Kim hit his first career home-run in a 20-3 loss against the NC Dinos.
In the 2014 postseason, he appeared once as a pinch runner against the Samsung Lions.
Batting .290 with 19 home runs and 73 RBIs, Kim was the starting shortstop at the 2015 KBO All-Star Game. He recorded his 10th base steal on June 12, 2015 against the Kt Wiz in a 12-8 loss. He recorded his 20th base steal on September 21, 2015 in a win against the NC Dinos. He hit his 19th home run on September 23, 2015 against the SK Wyverns. He finished the season with 19 home runs and 22 base steals, just one home run short of a 20-20.
Before the start of the 2016 season, Kim signed a one-year ₩160 million contract extension with the Nexen Heroes. Kim played all 144 games in the 2016 regular season while batting 0.281 with 20 home runs, 28 base steals and 84 RBIs. Kim was selected an All Star for the second time in his third year. Kim was the starting shortstop at the 2016 KBO All-Star Game. He recorded his 20th home run on September 20, 2016 against the KIA Tigers. This home run made him the third shortshop in the history of KBO to ever record 20 home runs and 20 base steals in the regular season.
Kim won the KBO League Golden Glove Award in three consecutive years, from 2018 to 2020.
After the 2020 season, on November 25, 2020, the Heroes announced it was allowing Kim to enter the posting system to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).
San Diego Padres.
On December 31, 2020, Kim signed with the San Diego Padres of the MLB for a four-year, $28M deal , including a mutual option for the 2025 season. On April 1, 2021, Kim made his major league debut as a pinch hitter for Emilio Pagán, striking out against Alex Young of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kim hit his first MLB home run in a 7-4 victory over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas on April 10, 2021.
International career.
Kim represented South Korea national baseball team at the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, 2017 World Baseball Classic,2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship, 2018 Asian Games and 2019 WBSC Premier12.
In 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, Kim batted .433, going 13-for-30, driving in three RBIs and scoring 9 runs. South Korea finished 5th in the tournament.
In 2019 WBSC Premier12, Kim was named the best shortstop.