As Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers) entered the U.S. stage, the KBO League's "number one second baseman" position became vacant. Both the defense award and the Golden Glove are waiting for a new owner.메이저사이트
Kim Hye-sung, who is trying to challenge for Major League Baseball (MLB), delivered the news of the contract with the Dodgers on the 4th (Korea time), ahead of the deadline for posting (closed competitive bidding). The period is three years and the guarantee amount is $12.5 million. If the Dodgers exercise their team options, the accompanying period will be extended to 2028 and 2029. The total amount will also be added up to 22 million dollars. Shohei Ohtani, the current MLB icon and Dodgers player, welcomed the news of Kim Hye-sung's transfer.
Kim has been awarded the Gold Glove in the second baseman category for the past three consecutive seasons. Kim has become a second baseman in 36 years since Kim Seong-rae (then Samsung·1986-1988), who was a representative second baseman in the 1980s. Kim Sun-bin, who led the Kia Tigers to win the title in 2024, tried to win the Golden Glove in the second baseman category, but Kim Hye-sung beat Kim by a large margin (98).
Four years ago, the shortstop sector also faced the "Chunchu Warring States Period." Kim Ha-sung, who swept the Golden Glove award for the previous three years (2018-2020), entered MLB, and Kim Hye-sung, Oh Ji-hwan (LG Twins), and Park Chan-ho (KIA Tigers) took the Golden Glove in turn.
Without Kim Hye-sung, the competition for the best second baseman in the 2025 season is expected to intensify. Kim Sun-bin, Shin Min-jae (LG), Kang Seung-ho (Doosan Bears), and Park Min-woo (NC Dinos), who are certain to be the main players in their teams, are all candidates. In particular, Kim Sun-bin and Park Min-woo have won Golden Glove awards.
On top of that, Ko Seung-min (Lotte Giants) and Hwang Young-mook (Hanwha Eagles), who revealed their potential last season (2024), also have clear offensive and defensive strengths, respectively, so they have the qualifications to aim for a defensive award or a golden glove.
Samsung Lions, KT Wiz, and SSG Landers did not have a player who played second base defense in more than 500 innings last season. This means that competition is underway to become a starting player. Those with various backgrounds, including experienced veterans, Shin Seong, who has been recognized for his potential, and players who are on the verge of becoming a starting player in the backup in their later years, are aiming for the KBO League's No. 1 second baseman beyond the team's starting lineup.
Kim Sun-bin, Park Min-woo, and Kang Seung-ho, who have both ball and water skills, are likely to be the next winners. It raises questions about who will be the main character of the second baseman's defense award and Golden Glove in the winter of 2025.