Two-way free agent Seong-Jun Kim has officially signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, which includes a notable signing bonus of \$1,200,000.67. The Rangers announced the agreement on Saturday, marking a significant addition to their developmental pipeline.
Kim, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound standout from South Korea, is a rare talent who excels both as a shortstop and a right-handed pitcher. Still just a student at Gwangju Jeil High School, Kim is expected to graduate in January of next year.
Despite his young age, he’s already drawn significant attention across international scouting circles and was recently named South Korea’s High School Player of the Year for 2024—an honor that underscores his high ceiling and all-around ability.
As a pitcher, Kim has impressed scouts by reaching velocities up to 95 mph, showcasing a strong arm with developing secondary pitches. Offensively, he has spent the majority of his time at shortstop, where he combines smooth fielding with an advanced approach at the plate.
So far this season, Kim is hitting an impressive .333 with a 1.015 OPS, solidifying his reputation as one of the most exciting young prospects to come out of Korea in recent years.
With this signing, Kim becomes the fifth player from Gwangju Jeil High School to join a Major League organization, following in the footsteps of notable names like Byung-Hyun Kim, Hee-Seop Choi, Jae Weong Seo, and Jung Ho Kang.
His addition reflects the Rangers’ growing commitment to scouting and developing international talent, and he will now look to begin his professional career in the United States with hopes of climbing the minor league ranks.
The signing also signals Texas’s confidence in Kim’s potential as a two-way player—a rarity in today’s game—and offers fans an intriguing prospect to watch in the years ahead.
