Kim Hyun-soo
Overview
Kim Hyun-soo (born January 12, 1988) is a South Korean professional baseball player whose position is outfielder. He debuted in the KBO League with the Doosan Bears, played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies from 2016 to 2017, and later returned to the Doosan Bears, where he currently plays. Known for his excellent eye and precise hitting, he earned the nickname "Hitting Machine" and is regarded as one of the representative hitters of the KBO League.
Main Content
Debut and Doosan Bears Era (2006-2015)
Kim Hyun-soo was drafted by the Doosan Bears in the second round of the 2006 rookie draft and joined the team. From his debut season, he established himself as a starting outfielder, and in 2007, he recorded a batting average of 0.323, becoming a candidate for Rookie of the Year. He consistently maintained a .300 batting average, leading the team's core lineup. He also played for the national team, winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finishing as runner-up at the 2009 WBC. In particular, in 2015, he posted MVP-caliber stats with a batting average of 0.326, 28 home runs, and 121 RBIs, greatly contributing to the Doosan Bears' Korean Series championship.
Major League Challenge (2016-2017)
After the 2015 season, Kim Hyun-soo signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the MLB Baltimore Orioles through the posting system. He struggled with adaptation early in the 2016 season but showed potential in the second half, recording a batting average of 0.302. However, in 2017, due to injuries and poor performance, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and released after the season. His career MLB stats were a batting average of 0.273, 7 home runs, and 36 RBIs, which were considered below expectations.
Return to Doosan Bears and Resurgence (2018-Present)
In 2018, Kim Hyun-soo returned to the Doosan Bears, signing a large six-year contract worth 15 billion KRW. From his first season back, he proved his prowess with a batting average of 0.334, and in 2019, he led the team to a Korean Series championship with a batting average of 0.323, 15 home runs, and 91 RBIs. In 2020, he showcased top-tier hitting in the league with a batting average of 0.340, and in 2021, he recorded a batting average of 0.307. He struggled somewhat in 2022 due to injuries but successfully rebounded in 2023 with a batting average of 0.312. As of 2024, he continues to play as the Doosan Bears' starting outfielder and cleanup hitter, maintaining a career batting average above 0.320 and establishing himself as one of the greatest hitters in KBO League history.
Playing Style
Kim Hyun-soo's greatest strengths are his excellent eye and precise hitting. His eye is so good that he draws more walks than strikeouts, and his contact ability is outstanding, allowing him to handle any type of pitch. While his power is not exceptional, he possesses enough strength to hit around 20 home runs, classifying him as a mid-to-long-range hitter. His defense and baserunning are rated below average, but his offensive productivity sufficiently compensates for this.
Latest Trends
In the 2024 season, despite being 36 years old, Kim Hyun-soo remains a key hitter for the Doosan Bears. As of August 2024, he is recording a batting average of 0.315, 12 home runs, and 70 RBIs, contributing to the team's push for the postseason. Notably, in July 2024, he achieved his 2,000th career hit, becoming the 10th player in KBO League history to do so. While discussions about his retirement have gradually emerged, he has expressed his intention to extend his playing career into the 2025 season and continues to perform consistently. Additionally, he has recently taken on a mentoring role for younger players, demonstrating leadership within the team.
Related Topics
- [[Doosan Bears]]
- [[KBO League]]
- [[Major League Baseball]]
- [[South Korea national baseball team]]
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