According to a report by The Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Orioles have signed Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim to a two-year, $7 million deal. The deal is pending a review of Kim’s medical report.
The 27-year-old Kim is known for his impressive eye over in Korea. In 2015, he drew 101 walks while striking out just 63 times. However, Kim is more than just a patient eye. Over his career, Kim has a .318 batting average, a .406 on base percentage and a .488 slugging percentage.
Last season, Kim was well above his average in all three departments, as he hit .326 with a .438 OBP and a .541 SLG. He also added 28 home runs to his impressive 2015 stat line.
Even with Kim’s 6-foot-2, 214-pound frame, he has surprisingly only reached 20 home runs just once over the last five season. Fortunately, Camden Yards is a hitter-friendly park, especially for left-handed hitters, which Kim happens to be. So, the Orioles are hoping their home field will give Kim the ability to maximize his power.
Kim will likely play left field for the Orioles, and could potentially be a great hitter to put at the top of the lineup, seeing as he draws a ton of walks. That would give guys like Adam Jones and Manny Machado the ability to drive in more runs.
Even if Kim’s bat doesn’t quite carry over to the big leagues, one thing that certainly won’t leave him is that impressive eye, which gives him value for virtually any team in baseball. If there’s one thing manager’s love, it’s a player that doesn’t hesitate to take his walks and get on base, especially at the top of the order.
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Steven Laks is a Staff Writer for Outside Pitch MLB. Follow him on Twitter for more news, updates and analysis on Major League Baseball.
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