'Finally' Song Sung-moon makes MLB debut, dreams of becoming a second Kim Ha-seong with 'one-blast power, speed, and utility'

*This content was translated by AI.

Can Song Sung-moon (29, San Diego Padres) become a second Kim Ha-seong? After starting his season late due to an unlucky injury early in the campaign, Song Sung-moon finally made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.

On the 27th (Korea time), Song Sung-moon appeared as a pinch runner in the bottom of the 8th inning during a 2026 MLB visit game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico, with his team trailing 7-12.

After Luis Campusano reached base on a defensive error at second base, Song Sung-moon took over at first base and advanced to third base taking advantage of a wild pitch by Juan Morillo, but did not score.

He was later replaced by catcher Freddy Peralta in the bottom of the 8th inning, but the significance of finally appearing on the big league stage he had long dreamed of was sufficient.

Song Sung-moon, who spent a long period of obscurity, bulked up ahead of the 2024 season and succeeded in making a comeback. He recorded a .340 batting average, 19 home runs, 21 stolen bases, 104 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.927. Last year, he soared even higher, posting a .315 batting average, 26 home runs, 25 stolen bases, 90 RBIs, 103 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.917, even amid a pitcher-friendly trend.

Song Sung-moon, who earned his first-ever Gold Glove Award (at third base), was also named the KBO Defensive Player of the Year at third base and was recognized for his value, even signing a multi-year non-free agent contract worth 12 billion won over six years with Kiwoom midway through the season.

After the season ended, he challenged to join the big leagues through the posting system and signed a four-year, $15 million (approximately 22 billion won) contract with San Diego.

Injuries held him back. Song Sung-moon suffered a side injury ahead of spring training, missed the opening day roster, and began the season on the injured list (IL).

He then adjusted his form in Triple-A, recording a .293 batting average (22 hits in 75 at-bats), 12 RBIs, 9 runs scored, a .369 on-base percentage, a .320 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 0.689 in 20 games. While the performance was not fully satisfactory, San Diego called up Song Sung-moon ahead of the 'Mexico City Series.'

Song Sung-moon became the 29th Korean player to step onto MLB fields since Park Chan-ho in 1994.

This call-up was made possible under a special MLB rule that allows teams to expand their rosters from 26 to 27 players for games held outside the United States and Canada. It remains uncertain whether Song Sung-moon will immediately receive more opportunities in the big leagues.

However, San Diego invested a significant amount to acquire Song Sung-moon, who possesses both utility versatility and speed, suggesting he will have sufficient value even if not a starter. This was precisely the reason San Diego found him attractive when they originally signed him. He is expected to gradually earn more opportunities in the big leagues.

His role model is Kim Ha-seong. They were teammates at Kiwoom and share many similarities. Both can play multiple positions in the infield, possess one-blast power, and have fast speed.

Kim Ha-seong was also selected by San Diego ahead of the 2021 season. Playing as a utility player in 117 games during his first season, he immediately became a starter from his second season. In 2023, he played in 152 games, batting .260 with 17 home runs, 38 stolen bases, 60 RBIs, 85 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.749. He was also named the first Asian infielder to win a Gold Glove Award.

Although he suffered an injury in 2024, after finishing the season he obtained free agent (FA) status and signed a two-year, maximum $31 million (approximately 45.6 billion won) deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was traded midway through the season but exercised his opt-out clause a year later, signing a one-year, $20 million (approximately 29.4 billion won) contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Although he is still recovering from injury, he is an important asset whom Atlanta is eager to have back.

San Diego, which lost 7-12, will return to the United States to continue its regular season schedule. Song Sung-moon is also preparing while waiting for opportunities at the plate.

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*This content was translated by AI.