Kim Sung-jun Posts 0.990 OPS in 13 Games for Ops Baseball
Kim Sung-jun keeps producing at ops baseball pace. The 19-year-old Texas Rangers prospect went 2-for-3 with three runs scored as a designated hitter in an 11-2 rookie-league win over the Chicago White Sox on April 28. He is still being used only at DH, with no pitching or defensive work yet this season.
Surprise Stadium Complex Output
Kim hit a one-run, two-out, three-base hit to right field in the top of the first inning and later scored on Braylin Morel’s infield single to center field. He added an infield single to center field in the bottom of the third, then scored again on Carlos Torres’ infield single to center field.
He finished with two hits, one RBI, one walk and one strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth, he drew a walk and later scored for a third time on Rashan Finder’s two-base hit to right field.
Kim Sung-jun’s.990 OPS
Across 13 rookie-league games, Kim has a.308 batting average with 12 hits in 39 at-bats, two home runs, 10 RBIs, three runs scored and one stolen base. He also has a.400 on-base percentage, a.590 slugging percentage and a.990 OPS.
The line is striking because Kim is listed as a two-way prospect, yet he has not pitched in the third week of the season and has not played defense. A representative for Kim said he has taken part in bullpen pitching once and live pitching once, while the team’s policy is that there is no rush for him to play defense or pitch.
Texas Rangers Prospect Plan
Texas signed Kim for $1.2 million in May last year. MLB.com ranked him 15th among the Rangers’ top prospects and said he has average hitting ability, good plate discipline and the potential to hit 15 home runs as a right-handed hitter.
The same evaluation said he shows stability at shortstop with a strong arm and can throw a fastball in the low 90s mph, touching 95 mph, while his slider sits in the low 80s mph and grades best among his breaking balls. For now, though, the Rangers are keeping the 19-year-old in the lineup as a designated hitter, and his bat is answering with production near a 1.000 OPS.
That gives Texas a clear early read on one part of his game. It also leaves the other part parked, at least for now.
