Korean big leaguers Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) and Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh Pirates) are returning home after successful seasons.
Kim’s Korean management company, Summit Management, announced on Friday that “Kim will return home through Incheon Airport on the 11th.”
Kim hit .260 (140-for-538) with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 84 runs scored, 38 stolen bases and an OPS of 0.749 in 152 games this season, setting new career highs.
In particular, his 38 stolen bases this season were the most ever by a Korean major leaguer in a single season, and his 15 consecutive games with multiple runs scored tied Ichiro Suzuki’s Asian major league record. He has also been mentioned as a candidate for the National League Gold Glove this season for his above-average defense while playing shortstop and third base, in addition to his primary position of second base.
According to Summit Management, Kim will return home to gradually build up his body with a program that has already been prepared for next season.
Bae Ji-hwan will also return home on the same day. “Bae Ji-hwan, who played his first full-time game in the major leagues, is scheduled to return home on the 11th,” said Bae’s Korean management company, Universe Sports.온라인바카라
Bae joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international amateur free agent in 2018 after graduating from Bonricho (Youngnam Little), Daegu Joong-Gyeongbuk High School. After making his debut last year and playing in 10 games, Bae played his first full season this season as the starting second baseman and center fielder.
Despite a season-ending injury, he batted .231 (77-for-334) with two home runs, 32 RBI, 54 runs scored, 24 stolen bases, a .296 on-base percentage, a .311 slugging percentage and a .607 OPS in 111 games. The 24 stolen bases surpassed Choo Shin-soo’s 22 in 2010, making him just the third Korean major leaguer to record 20 or more stolen bases in a season, joining Choo Shin-soo and Kim Ha-sung.