HA-SEONG KIM, SS/2B
Position: SS/2B B/T: R/R
Player Data: Age: 30 (10/17/1995)
2025 Traditional Stats: 191 PA, .234/.304/.345/.649, 40 H, 5 HR, 17 RBI
2025 Advanced Stats: 82 wRC+, 20.4% K%, 8.4% BB%, .271 BABIP, .301 xwOBA, 0.3 fWAR, 0 DRS (2B), -3 DRS (SS), 0 OAA (2B), -3 OAA (SS)
RUNDOWN
Ha-seong Kim‘s 2025 season was injury-riddled. The 30-year-old utility infielder missed significant time recovering from 2024 shoulder surgery. Throughout the season, a recurring back issue likely limited his mobility. Additionally, he struggled with hamstring issues and a foot injury from a foul ball during his June rehab assignment.
The impact of the injury was evident across the board. Kim’s OPS dropped to .649 in 2025, and the typically elite defender posted defensive marks well below expectations (four OAA in 2024, nine OAA in 2023). Additionally, sample size volatility also contributed to the poor defensive metrics. When healthy, Kim is a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop and second baseman.
Despite the health challenges, positive indicators emerged. For instance, Kim’s average exit velocity improved from 87.9 mph to 89.7 mph, and he hit his hardest ball since 2023 at 108.5 mph. He also continued to show elite contact rates. Specifically, his 88.9% zone contact, 15.5% whiff rate and 21.2% chase rate remained strong. Nevertheless, he did see a jump in strikeout percentage (16.4% to 20.4%) and a drop in walk percentage (12.3% to 8.4%). Again, sample size can explain those changes.
Looking ahead, if healthy in 2026, expect him to bounce back and return to being an elite infield defender who hovers around league average offensively. There may also be more to tap into with the bat, as his improved exit velocities and improved pull fly ball rate (22.4%) suggest offensive upside.
CONTRACT
Kim enters free agency after earning $13 million in 2025, and he turned down a $16 million player option for 2026. Currently, MLB Trade Rumors predicts a two-year, $30 million contract. He may look for an everyday shortstop role, and he may look to re-enter free agency after the 2026 season to capitalize on a potentially strong year. That said, the option of him taking a one-year deal remains strong.
RECOMMENDATION: WORTH CHECKING IN
The Mets should check in on Ha-seong Kim as a potential buy-low candidate. President of baseball operations David Stearns noted run prevention as a driving factor in the Mets’ offseason plans. Kim’s defense would partner well with Francisco Lindor in the middle infield. Kim has the advantage of being a right-handed bat, something the Mets are short on. He can platoon with Brett Baty and/or Jeff McNeil at second when needed.
From an offensive perspective, his 2022-2024 numbers before surgery were solid. During that stretch, his 106 WRC+ placed 14th among 33 qualified shortstops. Similarly, he ranked 12th among 30 qualified second basemen. Meanwhile, he had the 11th-best fWAR among shortstops and sixth among second basemen with a 10.5 fWAR. Over that period, he slashed .250/.336/.385 with 39 home runs and 72 stolen bases in 423 games.
Ha-seong Kim is a bounce-back candidate. On defense, he should provide elite middle-infield coverage. Offensively, he offers a league-average bat that can hit around 15 homers and around 15-20 bases. Kim represents excellent value for a team prioritizing run prevention.
