Rangers Add Two-Way prospect: Kim Sung-joon

Rangers fans are in for a treat! The Texas front office, led by Chris Young and Ross Fenstermaker, worked their magic once again, signing Kim Sung-joon, a two-way sensation from South Korea, for a reported $1.3M signing bonus, pending a physical. Young and Fenstermaker are always looking to the future while we’re in the present, and adding a two-way player to the Rangers’ system has fans excited. According to the “KBO in English” account, Sung-joon is skipping the KBO draft to start his pro career in the U.S..

A Top Talent from Gwang-ju High School

Considered likely the top high school talent in Korea, Sung-joon made waves at Gwang-ju High School. He’s a right-handed pitcher and hits from the right side at the plate while playing shortstop, showcasing a rare two-way ability. I saw a video that gave a peek at his talent, showing a few highlights of him pitching. What’s even more impressive—he just turned 18 years old, making his potential all the more exciting for Rangers fans.

Stats That Stand Out for Sung-joon

The video also included some of Sung-joon’s stats from what seems to be 2025, giving a glimpse of what he can do.

A heads-up: since these numbers come straight from that clip, they might not be exact, but they highlight his ability before this signing.

Here’s a quick look:

Pitching: 6 games, 2-1 record, 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP—showing he can keep hitters off balance and baserunners off the bases.  

Hitting: 9 games at shortstop, .324 average, 1 home run, 7 RBIs, .922 OPS—proving he’s got a knack for getting on base and hitting with some pop.  

Physical: 6’1”, 183 lbs, with the frame to grow into even more strength.

Starting His Journey in the U.S.

Sung-joon chose to skip the KBO draft and head to the U.S., starting his career with the Rangers after they offered him a $1.3M signing bonus. The deal’s awaiting a physical, but once it’s official, he’ll join the Rangers’ system with the intention of being a true two-way player. There’s risk in that—balancing pitching and hitting can be tough, but it sure adds a little more excitement to the Rangers system which already has a young stud in Sebastian Walcott.

Why He’s Drawing Two-Way Hype

Sung-joon’s ability to play effectively as both a pitcher and shortstop has some fans mentioning the “Korean Ohtani” nickname. I imagine that’s not as a direct comparison but as a nod to his two-way skills. An ERA of 1.17 on the mound and a .324 average with a .922 OPS at the plate are rare for a teenager, especially at a premium position like shortstop. With numbers like that, he’s likely to rank high in the Rangers’ prospect rankings when they’re updated.

Player to Watch: Sung-joon’s Dual-Threat Journey

Keep an eye on Kim Sung-joon as he begins his career with the Rangers. He’ll likely start in the minors to get a feel for the American game, but with his talent, he might climb fast. Can he handle the demands of being a two-way player against tougher competition? The excitement of watching him try is what makes this signing so thrilling, and Rangers fans are in for a treat watching this young star grow! As always, keep swinging for the fences and stay tuned at The Prospect Times for updates.