Infielder returns to Atlanta on a one-year deal
Atlanta Braves’ Ha-Seong Kim stands at first base during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves today signed INF Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract for the 2026 season. The infielder returns to Atlanta after playing the final month of last season with the club.
Kim, 30, split the 2025 campaign between the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta, appearing in 48 total games and combining to bat .234/.304/.649 between the two clubs. The Braves claimed him off waivers on September 1 and he appeared in 24 of the club’s final 25 games of the season. Kim batted .253/.316/.368 with three homers and 12 RBI with Atlanta, and all 24 of his appearances came at shortstop.
A five-year major league veteran, Kim has combined to bat .242/.324/.377 with 52 homers and 217 RBI over 588 career games between the Padres (2021-24), Rays (2025) and Braves (2025). He produced consecutive seasons of at least 5.0 bWAR with the Padres in 2022 and 2023, and earned a Gold Glove award as a utility defender following the 2023 campaign. He has appeared in 12 career postseason games, all with San Diego, including a trip to the National League Championship Series in 2022.
A native of Bucheon, South Korea, Kim was originally signed by the Padres to a major league contract in December of 2020 following seven seasons playing professionally in Korea. He made his major league debut the following season. Kim has appeared defensively at shortstop (350 games), second base (132) and third base (79), and has made a single appearance as designated hitter in his career.
To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated RHP Osvaldo Bido for assignment.
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