South Korean Outfielder Kim Hyun Soo Poised To Sign $7 Million, 2-Year Contract With The Baltimore Orioles
Professional baseball player Kim Hyun Soo has agreed to a 2-year, $7 million contract with Baltimore Orioles, according to reports on Thursday
The 27-year-old left fielder flew from South Korea to Baltimore, Maryland the day before and is expected to undergo a physical exam this week before signing the contract. According to The Baltimore Sun, the result of the medical review is determinative of the deal.
Should the agreement push through, Kim will become the first South Korean signed to a Major League Baseball (MLB) team as a free agent.
Kim spent nine successful seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) through which he achieved international free agency. Unlike previous Korean athletes, Kim will no longer go through the posting process, wherein "teams bid for the right to negotiate a contract with a player."
Korea Times noted Thursday that Kim, who bats left and throws right, batted .326 with a .438 on-base percentage under the KBO. He is considered one of the best hitters in the Korean league, posting a .542 slugging percentage, 28 homeruns and 128 RBIs in 141 appearances for the Doosan Bears' 2015 season.
Kim is listed as a career .318 hitter with a lifetime on-base percentage of .406, the Baltimore Sun noted. He is largely known for his patience, having recorded 597 walks and only 501 strikeouts in his entire career.
He is nicknamed "Iron Man" due to his durability, Yahoo News wrote Thursday. He reportedly received higher offers in South Korea, but turned them down to express his interest in trying his hand at the major leagues.
Currently, the Orioles only have center fielder Adam Jonas as a starting outfielder, so it is highly likely for Kim to earn a starting role in the team's right-handed-packed lineup.
Orioles Executive Vice President Dan Duquette is reportedly responsible for drafting Kim, explaining that the club is continuously looking for left-handed hitters to broaden its dynamics.
Duquette has long been eyeing Asian players. While he was posted as the general manager for the Boston Red Sox he signed three Korean pitchers, namely Kim Sun Woo, Cho Jin ho and Lee Sang Hoon.