Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Detroit For Three Games May 9-11

[fanman8825]

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This kid is a stud

 

[saddles]

This kid is a stud

I can't wait to see how he does at Frisco when he gets promoted.

 

[fanman8825]

I can't wait to see how he does at Frisco when he gets promoted.

Same here. When things are not going well for our Rangers atleast we can follow their affiliates.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

What to know about Texas Rangers signee Seong-Jun Kim, the ‘Korean Ohtani’​

Kim, who turned 18 on May 1, has agreed to $1.2 million bonus with an assurance that he will be allowed to develop as a two-way player, a shortstop and a pitcher. The Rangers expect the deal to be made official within the next two weeks after Kim passes a physical, sources said.

His next stop will be the United States, most likely at the Rangers’ complex in Surprise, Ariz., to acclimate to the organization and a new culture. But the question is, how closely does Kim compare to Ohtani, who was throwing nearly 100 mph at age 18?

Kim, like Ohtani, is a right-handed pitcher, but he has topped out at 95 mph and not Ohtani’s 99 in high school. Kim uses a four-pitch mix, with a slider being his best offspeed offering. He also throws a split-fingered fastball and a curveball.

The Rangers like that Kim hasn’t been pitching all that long. His focus in high school has been at shortstop, whereas Ohtani pitched often as a teenager, but he has a good feel for how to pitch. The team sees upside on the pitching side from Kim.

The offense isn’t nearly as dynamic as Ohtani. Kim is a right-handed hitter who has taken steps forward this spring as a hitter. He has an advanced approach and strong contact skills, and the Rangers see a potential for more power as Kim grows.

He’s 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds. Ohtani was 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds as a high school senior.
The biggest difference is where they play defensively. Ohtani pitched and played right field when he debuted in Nippon Professional Baseball. Kim is a shortstop, and the Rangers like his arm strength, soft hands and instincts at a premium defensive position.

At minimum, Kim is an intriguing prospect who wants to be in the major leagues. He is forgoing the Korea Baseball Organization draft, a quicker path to professional baseball and a potentially more lucrative contract at age 25 after becoming a KBO free agent.