Rangers Sign Two-Way Phenom, Seong-Jun Kim
Rangers fans are in for a treat! The Texas front office, led by Chris Young and Ross Fenstermaker, worked their magic once again, signing Seong-Jun Kim, 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, Seong-Jun Kim is skipping the KBO draft to start his pro career in the U.S..
A Top Talent from Gwang-ju High School
Considered the top high school talent in Korea, Seong-Jun Kim 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.
He’s expected to join the organization after he graduates High School in January 2026.
Stats That Stand Out for Seong-Jun
The video also included some of Seong-Jun’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.
Kim was named the 2024 Amateur HS Player of the Year as an underclassmen, as voted on by KBSA.
This year, he was named the 2025 First Half Weekend League MVP, with the second half of the season starting in a week. Kim has flashed a 95-mph fastball, while slashing .333 on the season with a 1.015 OPS as a position player.
Starting His Journey in the U.S.
Seong-Jun Kim 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
Seong-Jun Kim’s has apparently stated one of his goals is to be the “Korean Ohtani”. 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 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.
Update**
The signing is now official. The Texas Rangers announced the signing of Seong-Jun Kim today May 18, 2025.