'OPS nearing 1.000' two-way prospect Kim Sung-jun of the Texas Rangers has not pitched in the third week of the season... Why is he only playing as a designated hitter?

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Sung-jun (19), a two-way prospect for the Texas Rangers, has not pitched or played defense in the third week of the season, appearing only as a designated hitter.

On the 28th (Korean time), Kim Sung-jun played as the fourth hitter and designated hitter in a home game against the Chicago White Sox at the Surprise Stadium Complex in Surprise, Arizona, during the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) rookie regular season. He recorded two hits in three at-bats, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout, and three runs scored, leading Texas to an 11-2 victory.

He opened the game with a powerful hit in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the first with two outs and a runner on third base, Kim Sung-jun connected with the eighth pitch from Fabian Isala, hitting a one-run, two-out, three-base hit to right field. He later scored on Braylin Morel's infield single to center field. Kim also recorded an infield single to center field in the bottom of the third with one out. He scored his second run on Carlos Torres' infield single to center field. After striking out looking in the fourth inning, Kim drew a walk in the bottom of the sixth. He later crossed home plate again on Rashan Finder's two-base hit to right field.

With this performance, Kim Sung-jun has posted a .308 batting average (12 hits in 39 at-bats), two home runs, 10 RBIs, three runs scored, and one stolen base in 13 games of the rookie league regular season. His on-base percentage is .400 and slugging percentage is .590, resulting in an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.990, nearing 1.000, as he smoothly begins his first professional season.

Kim Sung-jun, a graduate of Gwangju Ilgo High School, signed a $1.2 million contract (approximately 18 billion won) with the Texas Rangers in May last year and is a right-handed pitcher and right-handed batter prospect who has embarked on a challenge to reach the Major Leagues. Since his first year of high school, he has been praised for his exceptional athletic ability and flexibility. He demonstrated consistent skill through his third year and won the Baseball Star Award at the 2024 Futures Star Awards ceremony held in November last year.

MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, ranked Kim Sung-jun 15th among Texas Rangers' top prospects. MLB.com stated, "Kim Sung-jun possesses average hitting ability for a batter and has good plate discipline. As a right-handed hitter, he is expected to hit 15 home runs. Defensively, he shows stability at shortstop with a strong arm."

It further added, "As a pitcher, he throws a fastball averaging in the low 90s mph, reaching up to 95 mph (approximately 152.9 km/h). Among his breaking balls, his slider, averaging in the low 80s mph (approximately 128.7 km/h), receives the best evaluation, along with a splitter and curveball. If he continues to grow physically, his pitching repertoire is expected to improve further."

However, in the third week of the season, he has not yet pitched as a pitcher. He is also not playing defense and is only appearing as a designated hitter. In response, a representative for Kim Sung-jun told StarNews, "Kim Sung-jun has participated in bullpen pitching and live pitching sessions once each. As he is still a developing player, the team's policy is that there is no rush for him to play defense or pitch."

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*This content was translated by AI.