Korean lefty Kwang-hyun Kim was posted today by his KBO club, SK Wyverns, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (via Twitter). The posting was expected, though its timing was unknown.
Since Kim is coming from the KBO, rather than Japan’s NPB, he will be subject to the old posting rules rather than the modified MLB-NPB process put in place at last year. As former MLBTR writer Ben Nicholson-Smith explained back in November of 2012, with regard to Hyun-jin Ryu, MLB clubs will participate in a blind bidding process. The KBO club will then have the chance to decide whether the high offer is enough to let the player go. If so, the KBO team allows the player to negotiate with the high-bidding MLB club.
If a deal is reached within the allotted 30-day window, the KBO team receives the posting sum; if not, no money changes hands and the player stays with the Korean club. MLB teams have four days to submit their bid from the date of posting, meaning that bids must be in by this coming Saturday.
Anyone have any scouting reports on this guy?
A few years ago, he was the other top Korean pitcher with Ryu Hyun-jin. But he had a stroke after the 2010 season and many injury problems (shoulder) from 2011 to 2013. This year has been better for him however, maybe he has turned things around. Stuff-related, I’ve read everything from fringy to good. Fastball in the (very) low 90’s, but a pretty good slider… Wild pitcher: career 4+ BB/9.
Yup. He probably has the most advanced feel for pitching I have ever seen out of the KBO. Often times this season he’s looked bored, almost like he is pitching down to his competition. But make no mistake, he has the mound presence of a warrior and the precision of a surgeon. He has a sneaky fast two seamer, a plus curve, developing slider and at times, a wipe out changeup. He will make a great innings eater for a budget team stepping into contention.
Not so sure about Korean baseball pitchers………….