Kbo League Best Players of All Time

Kevin Smith

The KBO League is South Korea’s premier baseball league, with a long and storied history stretching back to 1982. Featuring six teams, the KBO League has become known for its high level of competition and exciting games. The Kia Tigers are the most successful team in the league, having won 11 of the 40 championships.

For over three decades, the KBO League has been at the forefront of Korean baseball and continues to be a major source of entertainment for sports fans in South Korea.

Table of Contents

1. Shin-Soo Choo

Designated hitter

Shin-Soo Choo Career

  • All-Star (2018), Hit for the cycle on July 21, 2015

Shin-Soo Choo is a left fielder and designated hitter who has played in the MLB for over 10 years. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2005, but he spent most of his career with the Texas Rangers.

Choo is known for his power, as he has hit 218 home runs throughout his career. He also boasts a batting average of .275, which makes him one of the best hitters in baseball. Choo is an excellent defender, having won three Gold Gloves Awards during his playing days.

His speed on the field means that he can steal bases and score runs quickly when needed; this attribute has made him an integral part of many successful teams over the course of his career.

 One downside to Choo's game is that he strikes out often – averaging about 33 strikeouts per 162 games played – which can be frustrating for fans watching him play live or on TV.

However, when all things are considered, Shin-Soo Choo remains one of the top players in baseball.

Also Played For: texas rangers

2. Hyun-jin Ryu

Pitcher

Hyun-jin Ryu Career

  • KBO, Korean Triple Crown (2006), 7× KBO All-Star (2006–2012), KBO MVP (2006), KBO Rookie of the Year (2006), 2× KBO Golden Glove Award (2006, 2010), 5× KBO strikeout champion (2006–2007, 2009–2010, 2012), 2× KBO ERA champion (2006, 2010), , MLB, , All-Star (2019), 2× All-MLB Second Team (2019, 2020), MLB ERA leader (2019)

Hyun-jin Ryu is a pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 and made his MLB debut that year.

In 2018, he won both the KBO MVP Award and Golden Glove Award after leading his team to an unbeaten record while pitching 290 innings over 42 games/starts. 

Ryu set new career highs in strikeouts (1,238) and earned run average (2.80) during the 2018 season, earning him an All-Star Game selection and National League Cy Young Award consideration along the way.

His 98 wins as a starter are tied for fifth most all-time in MLB history behind only Sandy Koufax (11), Pedro Martinez (117), Roger Clemens (153), and Bob Gibson (136). Hyun-jin Ryu also boasts one of baseball’s best records against left-handed pitchers with a mark of 54–24 (.717). 

As an international player, Ryu has represented South Korea at multiple tournaments including two World Baseball Classic appearances where he helped lead them to their second WBC title game appearance ever in 2017. 

Before falling short to eventual champions Puerto Rico; as well as two Olympic Games where they failed to medal each time despite reaching the semi-finals both times.

Also Played For: toronto blue jays

3. Yasiel Puig

Los Angeles Dodgers

Yasiel Puig Career

  • All-Star (2014)

Yasiel Puig is a world-class outfielder who spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2013, he led MLB in hits and home runs while being named to the All-Star team.

Puig was traded to the Houston Astros in November of 2018 and played for them through 2019 before becoming a free agent again. He has been known for his flashy style of play, which includes high-energy batting and running displays as well as some controversial antics on the field (including throwing bats at opponents).

Despite having had inconsistent performances over the course of his career, Puig remains one of baseball's most exciting players due to his electric bat speed and natural ability to hit balls out of parks - particularly during moments when it matters most (such as late in games). 

As an international player born in Cuba, Puig has always been subject to additional scrutiny by American fans than other major league stars - something that only added fuel to his fire during contentious encounters with opposing players and spectators alike throughout his career thus far.

After spending several years bouncing around teams within both MLB and Korea's KBO League, Yasiel Puig will likely be looking for another opportunity in 2020 or beyond - where he could potentially continue amassing huge numbers on both sides of ball once again.

Also Played For: dodgers, kiwoom heroes

4. Kim Jae-hwan

Outfielder

Kim Jae-hwan Career

  • 2x Korean Series champion (2016, 2019), KBO MVP (2018), 2× KBO Golden Glove Award (2016, 2018), KBO home run leader (2018), KBO RBI leader (2018)

Kim Jae-hwan was born on September 22, 1988 in South Korea. He is an outfielder and designated hitter for the Doosan Bears in the KBO League. Kim has played in 241 games over six seasons with the Bears, batting .289 with 54 home runs and 161 RBIs.

In 2018, he helped lead his team to their first Korean Series championship since 2001 with a .353 average and eight home runs in 47 games played. 

The 34-year-old also won a Gold Glove award as an outfielder that season and was nominated for Most Valuable Player honors by both Baseball America and Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) voters after finishing runner up in both voting contests behind teammate Jeon Jun Yeong of the Samsung Lions.

Born outside of Seoul but raised there before moving to Guam when he was younger due to his father's military service, Kim learned English while playing baseball overseas including stints in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league from 2014 to 2016. 

Where he hit 15 home runs while batting at No 3 or 4 batter which caught attention of scouts from MLB teams.

Who attended one game against NPB All Stars at Tokyo Dome featuring players such as Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka & Shohei Otani during this time period. 

Kim Jae Hyun (born September 22, 1988), commonly known by his stage name "Jaehyun", is a South Korean singer under JYP Entertainment label.

Also Played For: doosan bears

5. Hur Kyoung-min

Hur Kyoung-min

Hur Kyoung-min is a shortstop for the Doosan Bears. He made his debut with the team in 2012 and has since played in over 200 games, batting .269 with 13 home runs and 66 RBIs.

In 2018, he was named to the Korean Baseball Organization All-Star Team after batting .312 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 118 games. He is a two time KBO Gold Glove Award winner (2015, 2017).

Hur enjoys playing golf as well as spending time with his family and friends outside of baseball seasons Kyoung-min is a veteran player for the Doosan Bears. He has played in over 1,000 games and accumulated 527 RBIs with 46 home runs.

Kyoung-min was also part of the South Korean team that won a silver medal at the 2015 World Baseball Classic. In 2017, he led his team to their first ever championship title by hitting .294 with five homers and 27 RBIs in 63 games played.

6. Ariel Miranda

Ariel Miranda Career

  • NPB, 2× Japan Series Champion (2018, 2019), , KBO, , KBO League MVP (2021), Choi Dong-won Award (2021), KBO ERA leader (2021), KBO strikeout leader (2021), KBO Golden Glove Award (2021)

Ariel Miranda made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2016. He spent three seasons with the team before being traded to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of NPB in 2018.

In Japan, Miranda has been incredibly successful, posting a 13-9 record and 2.89 ERA over two seasons with the Bears. Ariel is a free agent at the end of 2018 and will likely return to NPB next season where he can continue his success story.

Ariel Miranda is a right-handed pitcher who has spent time with the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox. Ariel Miranda has logged 186 strikeouts in 204 innings pitched in NPB competition. 

Ariel Miranda holds an ERA of 4.72, but his WHIP (1.257) shows that he can control the run game while allowing some hits and walks as well, which bodes well for him on the major league level where teams are more likely to score runs than they are to allow them against most pitchers in Japan's professional circuit at this point in their careers.

The 23 year old was called up by Seattle from Triple-A Tacoma earlier this season before being traded to Boston over the weekend - it will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets given all of Boston's other pitching options currently on hand.

7. José Miguel Fernández

José Miguel Fernández Career

  • KBO, KBO League Golden Glove Award (2019), Korean Series champion (2019)

José Miguel Fernández is an infielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball. Fernández was signed by the Angels as a minor league free agent in March 2019.

In his MLB debut, he hit a home run off of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell in the ninth inning to tie the game and eventual win the game 3-2 on June 8th. 

Fernandez has also played for both the Saraperos de Saltillo and Doosan Bears in Korea's KBO League, where he currently holds records for most hits (220), doubles (41), triples (10) and total bases (345).

José Miguel Fernández was born in Colón, Cuba on April 27th 1988 to parents Fidelia López and Héctor Fernández García. José Miguel Fernández is a right-handed batter who has played for the Angels in 2018 and 2019.

 He was drafted by Doosan Bears in the 2nd round of the 2019 KBO Draft, and signed with them shortly thereafter. Fernandez has appeared in 131 games over two seasons, batting .328 with 57 home runs and 351 RBIs to his name thus far.

The outfielder/first baseman also won a Golden Glove Award as part of his MVP season with Doosan Bears this year, as well as being crowned Korean Series champion alongside Los Angeles Angels earlier this month (in what was his first professional championship).

Fernandez's impressive stats have seen him called up to represent Venezuela at international level on multiple occasions - most notably at both the World Baseball Classic 2017 & 2018 tournaments.

Where he helped lead them to silverware respectively; while he also represented their country at the 2016 Summer Olympics Qualifying Tournament last year.

8. Kim Ha-seong

Infielder

Kim Ha-seong Career

  • 3x KBO League Golden Glove Award (2018–2020)

Kim Ha-seong is a 27-year-old shortstop who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2021 MLB Draft. 2. Kim played for the Nexen Heroes in the KBO from 2014-2020, posting a .292 batting average with 133 home runs and 575 RBIs.

Kim is expected to make his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 2021. Kim is a great defensive player with a good batting average.

Kim is a great ballplayer and is sure to be a success in the MLB. Ha-seong was born and raised in South Korea, and played for the Nexen Heroes in the KBO League.

In 2018, he won the KBO League Golden Glove Award, which is given to the best defensive player in the league. Ha-seong has also played for the San Diego Padres in the MLB, and has had some success. He has a batting average of .235 and 19 home runs, and has 93 runs batted in.

Also Played For: san diego padres

9. Lee Jung-hoo

Outfielder

Lee Jung-hoo Career

  • KBO Rookie of the Year (2017), 5x KBO League Golden Glove Award (2018-2022)

Jung-hoo is a 24-year-old outfielder for the Nexen Heroes of the KBO. Jung-hoo was born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and played high school baseball in the United States.

Jung-hoo made his KBO debut with the Nexen Heroes in 2017. Jung-hoo has a batting average of .334 and has scored 106 runs in 257 plate appearances. Jung-hoo is a left-handed hitter and throws right-handed.

Lee Jung-hoo is a professional baseball player who plays for Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes. Lee Jung-hoo has been playing professional baseball since 2017. Lee Jung-hoo has been a key player for Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League.

Lee Jung-hoo has been awarded several awards, including the KBO Rookie of the Year and five Golden Glove Awards. Lee Jung-hoo is a talented player and is expected to continue to perform at a high level in the future.

10. Nick Martini

Outfielder

Nick Martini

Nick Martini was born in Crystal Lake, Illinois, in 1990. He played college baseball at the University of Illinois. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2010 MLB draft.

He made his MLB debut with the Athletics on June 6, 2018. He played in 21 games for the Athletics in 2018, batting .196 with one home run and four RBIs. He was traded to the Nashville Sounds on July 31, 2018.

He played in 48 games for the Sounds in 2018, batting .269 with six home runs and 25 RBIs. He was signed by the Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization in April 2022. He has played in 128 games for the Dinos in seven seasons, batting .269 with 88 home runs and 330 RBIs.

Nick Martini is a first baseman who has spent most of his professional career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). 

He has played for the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres in the MLB, and is currently a member of the NC Dinos. Nick Martini is a 29-year-old first baseman who has spent the past six seasons in the KBO.

He has averaged .296 with 16 home runs and 85 RBIs in that time. Nick Martini was signed by the Oakland Athletics as a free agent in 2018. 

He made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2019, and played in 31 games. Martini was traded to the Padres in July 2019. He has played in 22 games for San Diego, and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks due to an injury.

Martini was born in the United States but grew up in Italy. He played college baseball at the University of Miami, and was drafted by the Athletics in the seventh round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Nick Martini is a two-time All-Star in the KBO. 

He was named to the All-Star team in both 2017 and 2018. The NC Dinos acquired Nick Martini from the Padres in a trade on July 9th.

He is expected to join the team for their upcoming series against the LG Twins. Nick Martini is a member of the Italian national team, and played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. 

He also played in the 2018 World Baseball Classic. Nick Martini is a first baseman who is known for his power and ability to hit for a high batting average. He is a potential candidate for the MVP award in the KBO this season.

Also Played For: las vegas aviators, nc dinos

11. Na Sung-bum

Na Sung-bum Career

  • 6× KBO All-Star (2013–2018), 2× KBO Golden Glove Award (2014–15)

Na Sung-bum is a 33-year-old center fielder who has played for the Kia Tigers since 2013. He has a batting average of .313 and has 233 home runs in 602 career games.

Na Sung-bum was born in South Korea and played college baseball at Yonsei University. He was drafted by the NC Dinos in the fourth round of the 2013 KBO Draft. Na Sung-bum made his KBO debut with the NC Dinos in 2013 and has since played for the Kia Tigers and the Hanwha Eagles.

He was traded to the Tigers in 2018. Na Sung-bum has been a key part of the Tigers' playoff runs in both 2018 and 2019. He hit a home run in the Tigers' 3-2 win in the 2019 Korean Series, and helped the team to a championship in the same season. Na Sung-bum is a left-handed hitter and throws left-handed.

He is a defensive specialist who is known for his strong throwing arm.

12. Kang Baek-ho

Kang Baek-ho Career

  • Korean Series (2021), KBO Rookie of the Year (2018), 3x KBO All-Star (2018–2020)

Kang Baek-ho was born on July 29, 1999 in Incheon, South Korea. He is a left fielder for the KT Wiz and made his professional debut with the team in 2018.

He has had a successful career in the KBO League, batting over .300 and hitting 75 home runs. Kang is a talented player and is expected to be a major contributor for the KT Wiz in the future.

Kang Baek-ho is a talented baseball player who has represented his country at multiple international tournaments. Kang Baek-ho is a rookie pitcher for KT Wiz and has made a large impact in his first season.

Kang Baek-ho is a two-time KBO All-Star and is a key player for KT Wiz. Kang Baek-ho is a strong pitcher who has helped KT Wiz win several games this season. Kang Baek-ho is a talented player who is worth watching in the KBO this season.

Kang Baek-ho is a major contributor to KT Wiz and is a key member of the team. Kang Baek-ho is a talented pitcher who has the potential to be a great player in the KBO. Kang Baek-ho is a talented player and is a key part of KT Wiz's success this season.

Kang Baek-ho is a talented pitcher and is a key player for KT Wiz.

13. Lee Dae-Ho

Lotte Giants

Lee Dae-Ho Career

  • KBO, KBO MVP (2010), 6x KBO Golden Glove Award (2006–07, 2010–11, 2017–18), 2x KBO Triple Crown (2006, 2010), , NPB, , RBI leader of PL (2012), Pacific League Best Nine Award (2012), 3× NPB All-Star (2012–2014), 2× Japan Series Champion (2014, 2015), Japan Series MVP (2015)

Lee Dae-Ho is a right-handed first baseman who has played in the Major Leagues with the Seattle Mariners. He was drafted by the Orix Buffaloes in the third round of the KBO Draft in 2002.

Lee made his NPB debut with the Lotte Giants in 2012. After playing six seasons with the Giants, Lee was traded to the Buffaloes in 2016. He finished the 2016 season with the Mariners and was traded to the Giants in 2017.

Lee is a two-time KBO Gold Glove winner and a two-time All-Star. He is the son of former major league player, Dae-Ho Lee. Lee is married and has two children. Lee is a devout Christian and has spoken about his faith in the past.

Lee Dae-Ho played for the Lotte Giants from 2001-2011. He was a member of the 2002 Korean Baseball League Championship team and helped lead the team to a Korean Series appearance in 2006. Lee was drafted by the Orix Buffaloes in the fourth round of the 2002 NPB Draft and made his debut with the team in 2004.

Lee was traded to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in December of 2012, and helped the team win the Japan Series in 2014. Lee was signed by the Seattle Mariners in March of 2016 and made his MLB debut later that year. 

Lee is a three-time All-Star and won the 2015 KBO MVP Award. Lee is a .309 hitter with 374 home runs and 1,425 RBIs in NPB. He is a .253 hitter with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs in MLB. Lee is set to retire after the 2022 season with the Lotte Giants.

14. Yang Hyeon-jong

Texas Rangers

Yang Hyeon-jong Career

  • 2x Korean Series champion (2009, 2017), 2x Choi Dong-won Award (2014, 2017), Korean Series MVP (2017), KBO MVP (2017)

Yang Hyeon-jong is a left-handed starting pitcher currently playing for the Kia Tigers in the Korean Baseball Organization. Yang made his professional debut with the Tigers in 2007 and has since gone on to win 147 games while averaging 95 strikeouts and a 3.83 ERA.

Yang was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Yang is married and has two children. Yang is a devout Christian and has made contributions to church ministries in his home country of South Korea. 

Yang is a two-time KBO MVP and has been the league's most dominant pitcher for the past two seasons.

Yang is a key member of the South Korean national team and has represented his country in international competitions. Yang is a veteran of the international baseball scene and is considered one of the best pitchers in the world. 

Yang is a key member of the Kia Tigers and is considered one of the top pitchers in the Korean Baseball Organization.

15. Park Min-woo

NC Dinos

Career

  • KBO Rookie of the Year (2014), KBO League Golden Glove Award (2019)

Park Min-woo is a 29-year-old infielder for the NC Dinos in the KBO. Park Min-woo made his KBO debut with the Dinos in 2013, and has since played for the team for four seasons.

Park Min-woo has a batting average of .268 with 24 home runs and 87 RBI in 467 games. Park Min-woo has been a consistent contributor for the Dinos, and is currently their second-highest hitter.

Park Min-woo is a left-handed hitter and throws right-handed. Park Min-woo is a native of South Korea, and is eligible for the South Korea national team. Park Min-woo is a two-time KBO All-Star, and was also named the KBO's Most Valuable Player in 2016.

Park Min-woo is expected to continue his success with the Dinos in the future, and is a player to watch in the KBO. Park Min-woo is a right-handed batter who primarily bats left-handed. He has played for the NC Dinos since 2012 and is one of the most consistent players in the KBO.

Park Min-woo has played in two World Series, with the NC Dinos winning in 2016. Park Min-woo has had a very successful career in the KBO, with 28 home runs and 386 RBIs. Park Min-woo is a four-time KBO League Golden Glove Award recipient, and is one of the best defensive players in the league.

Park Min-woo is a natural leader on and off the field, and has been a key part of the NC Dinos' success over the past few years.

16. Park Byung-ho

KT Wiz

Park Byung-ho Career

  • 2× KBO MVP (2012, 2013), 5× KBO Golden Glove Award (2012–14, 2018–19), 5× KBO home run leader (2012–15, 2019), 4× KBO RBI leader (2012–15), 2× KBO slugging percentage leader (2012, 2013), KBO All-Star Game MVP (2014)

Park Byung-ho made his professional baseball debut with the LG Twins in 2005. In 2016, Park signed a $36 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. Park has a .278 batting average and 36 home runs in over 1,000 career hits.

Park is a designated hitter and first baseman. Park is a three-time All-Star and two-time KBO MVP. Park is known for his powerful hitting and speed on the bases. Park is a leader on and off the field for the KT Wiz. Park is expected to be a key player for the KT Wiz in the 2019 season.

Park is a Korean citizen and has represented his country in international competition. Park Byung-ho is a two-time KBO MVP and five-time KBO Golden Glove Award winner. Park Byung-ho is one of the most decorated Korean players in MLB history, ranking fifth all-time with 24 RBIs in just 64 games.

Park Byung-ho is a three-time KT Wiz player of the year and an all-star in the MLB.

17. Chan Ho Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Chan Ho Park Career

  • All-Star (2001)

Chan Ho Park is a Korean-born pitcher who has played in MLB for the Dodgers, Pirates, and Buffaloes. Park has a record of 132-119 in MLB, with a 4.00 ERA.

Park has had success in the NPB, where he has a record of 132-119 with a 4.00 ERA. Park made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 1994 and has since played for the Pirates, Buffaloes, and Dodgers.

Park has been a part of two Korean World Cup teams, in 2002 and 2010, as well as two Japan Series teams, in 2002 and 2009. Park is 51 years old and has retired from MLB in 2010. Park is currently a free agent and has been reported to be considering offers from the NPB and KBO.

Park has served as the head coach of the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO. Chan Ho Park was a very successful pitcher in his career, winning 124 games and losing 98. 

He had an earned run average of 4.36 and averaged 1,715 strikeouts in his career. Park also played for the Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres, both of which he won a game with.

He had a brief return to the Dodgers in 2008, but was later released. He then signed with the Phillies and won 10 games in 2009. He then retired in 2010. 

Park is currently a pitching coach for the Dodgers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012. Overall, Park was a very successful pitcher and is still considered one of the best in the history of the game.

18. Yang Eui-ji

Doosan Bears

Yang Eui-ji Career

  • 2x Korean Series MVP (2016, 2020), KBO Rookie of the Year (2010), KBO batting title (2019), 5x KBO Golden Glove Award (2014–2016, 2018–2019)

Yang Eui-ji is a catcher for the Doosan Bears. He was born in Gwangju, South Korea on June 5, 1987. Yang has played in the Korea Baseball Organization since 2007.

Yang has a batting average of .307 and has hit 1,546 hits in his KBO career. Yang has 228 home runs in his KBO career and 944 RBI. Yang was awarded the Golden Glove Award in 2015.

Yang is a three-time KBO All-Star. Yang Eui-ji is a two-time Korean Series MVP and batting champion. Yang Eui-ji was a rookie sensation when he led the KBO in batting in 2010. Yang Eui-ji has been a perennial All-Star and is one of the most respected players in the league.

Yang Eui-ji has been part of the Korean Police Baseball Team for a number of years. Yang Eui-ji is currently a member of the Doosan Bears. Yang Eui-ji is a two-time gold medalist for his country in the World Baseball Classic. Yang Eui-ji is a crucial part of the Doosan Bears' success over the past few years.

Yang Eui-ji is a leader on and off the field and a fan favorite. Yang Eui-ji is a native of South Korea and is one of the most popular players in the league.

19. José Pirela

Lehigh Valley IronPigs

José Pirela

José Pirela is a Venezuelan second baseman and outfielder who has played in Major League Baseball for the Yankees since 2014. Pirela was drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres.

He signed with the Yankees as a free agent in 2014 and made his MLB debut that year. 

Pirela has played for the Yankees, the Padres, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and the Samsung Lions in Japan. In 2019, he hit a career-high .257 with the Yankees and was named to the MLB All-Star team.

Pirela is married and has two children. José Pirela is a left-handed hitting outfielder who has been consistently productive in the Japanese Central League. 

Pirela was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 5th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Pirela made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 2014.

Pirela spent the majority of his time with the Yankees, appearing in 144 games and batting .254 with 10 home runs. Pirela was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in July of 2019. In 111 games with the Phillies, Pirela has batted .310 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI. 

Pirela is a free agent after the 2020 season. José Pirela is a consistent threat at the plate, with a .266 batting average and 11 home runs in 82 games in NPB. In KBO, Pirela has batted .314 with 57 home runs and 206 RBI in 232 games.

20. Choi Jeong

SSG Landers

Choi Jeong Career

  • 6x KBO League Golden Glove Award (2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019), Korean Series MVP (2008), 2x KBO Home Run King (2016, 2017)

Choi Jeong is a former third baseman for the South Korean national team and played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Choi started his professional career with the SK Wyverns in 2005 and has since played for several other teams in the KBO.

Choi has a batting average of .288 and has hit 403 home runs in his career. Choi is a three-time KBO MVP and has been a part of several championship teams. Choi is a member of the Korean Baseball Organization Hall of Fame and is currently the manager of the Samsung Lions.

Choi Jeong is a professional baseball player for the SK Wyverns and SSG Landers. Choi Jeong was named the KBO League Golden Glove Award winner in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019. 

Choi Jeong was also named the KBO Home Run King in 2016 and 2017. Choi Jeong represented South Korea at the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and again in 2019.

Choi Jeong also played for the Asian Games in 2010 and the Olympic Games in 2012. Choi Jeong is a two-time winner of the Korean Series MVP award.

21. Mike Tauchman

Albuquerque Isotopes

Mike Tauchman

Tauchman was born in Palatine, Illinois and played college ball at Illinois State. Tauchman was drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies.

He made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2017. Tauchman signed with the Cubs in 2020 and is expected to compete for a starting outfield spot. Tauchman has a good batting eye and can hit for both power and average.

Tauchman is a good fielder with good range and instincts. Tauchman is expected to compete for a starting outfield spot with the Cubs in 2020. Tauchman was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies.

Tauchman made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2017. Tauchman played for the Colorado Rockies (2017–2018) and the New York Yankees (2019–2021). Tauchman is a left-handed hitter. Tauchman has a batting average of .231 and 17 home runs in MLB.

Tauchman has 78 runs batted in in KBO. Tauchman is expected to join the San Francisco Giants in 2021. Tauchman is a strong fielder and has committed only two errors in MLB. Tauchman is a versatile player and can play multiple positions.

22. Socrates Brito

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Socrates Brito

Socrates Brito was born on September 6, 1992 in Azua, Dominican Republic. Brito made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 8, 2015. Brito has played in MLB for the Diamondbacks and the Kia Tigers.

Brito bats and throws left. Socrates Brito has a career batting average of .274 and a career slugging percentage of .417. In MLB, Brito has played in 116 games and has recorded 31 hits, including four home runs. 

Brito has played in 132 games in Korea and has recorded 57 hits, including nine home runs.

Brito is a free agent and is currently a member of the Kia Tigers. Brito is a strong defender and has recorded nine assists in MLB and 14 assists in Korea. 

Socrates Brito is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. Brito made his MLB debut in 2015 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2018, Brito was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Brito has played in 174 MLB games, batting .179 with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs. Brito has also played in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) since 2016.

Where he has recorded a batting average of .311 with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs. Brito is a left-handed batter and throws right-handed. Brito was born on November 16, 1991 in Valencia, Venezuela.

Brito is a member of the Venezuela national baseball team. Socrates Brito is a talented and versatile player, who is capable of playing all three outfield positions.

Also Played For: reno aces

23. Kim Hyun-soo

LG Twins

Kim Hyun-soo Career

  • 4× KBO Golden Glove Award (2008–2010, 2015), KBO batting champion (2008), Korean Series champion (2015), All-WBC Team (2009), Premier12 MVP (2015), Premier12 All-World Team (2015), All-Olympic Team (2020)

Kim Hyun-soo was born in Seoul, South Korea on January 12, 1988. He signed with the Doosan Bears as an amateur free agent in 2006 and played in the Korean Baseball League (KBL) until he signed with the Baltimore Orioles in April of 2016.

Kim has played in over 2,500 professional baseball games, accumulating over 1799 hits and 195 home runs. Kim is currently a left fielder for the LG Twins in the KBO. 

Kim has won two KBO MVP Awards and two Golden Glove Awards. Kim is an excellent fielder and has been praised for his defense both in the outfield and at second base.

Kim is married and has two children. Kim is a devout Christian and has spoken out about his faith in the past. Kim is a three-time All-Star and has been named to the Korean Baseball Organization Hall of Fame.

24. Kwang-hyun Kim

SSG Landers

Kwang-hyun Kim Career

  • KBO, MVP (2008), Golden Glove Award (2008), 5× Korean Series Champion (2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2022)

Kwang-hyun Kim is a 34-year-old left-handed pitcher who played for the SK Wyverns in the KBO from 2007-2020. He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020.

Kim has a 140-77 record with a 3.22 ERA in KBO play. He also has 1,487 strikeouts in over 1,500 innings. Kim made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on July 25, 2020.

He has appeared in six games and has been ineffective, posting a 0-2 record and 3.86 ERA. Kim was selected to the South Korea national team for the 2019 World Baseball Classic.

He is currently playing for Team Korea in the WSBC Premier 12. Kim is married and has two children. Kwang-hyun Kim is a Korean-born, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who has played in the KBO since 2007.

He has a 10-7 record and a 2.97 earned run average in 114 innings pitched. Kim has struck out 104 batters and allowed just 59 hits. Kim has also been a five-time Korean Series champion, and is currently a member of the SK Wyverns.

Kim is the first Korean-born player to win a World Series. Kwang-hyun Kim is 31 years old.

25. Hwang Jae-gyun

Hwang Jae-gyun Career

  • Korean Series champion (2021)

Jae-gyun Hwang is a South Korean infielder who has played in both the KBO and MLB. Hwang made his MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2017 and had a .290 batting average and 904 runs batted in.

Hwang is a three-time KBO MVP and two-time Golden Glove winner. Hwang was born in Seoul, South Korea on July 28, 1987. Hwang is a right-handed batter and thrower. Hwang is a six-time KBO All-Star and two-time KBO MVP.

Hwang is a member of the South Korea national baseball team and has represented his country in the World Baseball Classic. Hwang is currently signed with the Giants through the 2022 season. Hwang Jae-gyun is a outfielder for the KT Wiz who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Hwang Jae-gyun was born in Busan, South Korea in 1994. Hwang Jae-gyun played college ball at the Yonsei University. 

Hwang Jae-gyun has played in the Korean Baseball League (KBL) for the KT Wiz since the 2017 season. Hwang Jae-gyun is a left-handed hitter and has a batting average of .154 in the KBL. Hwang Jae-gyun has five runs batted in and one home run in the KBL.

Hwang Jae-gyun was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2017 MLB Draft. Hwang Jae-gyun is signed with the KT Wiz for the 2018 season.

26. Park Hae-min

LG Twins

Career

  • Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team (2021)

Park Hae-min is a left-handed outfielder for the LG Twins. Park Hae-min made his KBO debut for the Samsung Lions in 2013. Park Hae-min has played in the KBO for four seasons, and has averaged .258 batting average and .347 on-base percentage.

Park Hae-min was named to the KBO All-Star team in 2018. Park Hae-min is signed through 2022 with the LG Twins. Park Hae-min is a two-time KBO All-Star and has been a consistent contributor for the LG Twins. Park Hae-min is a veteran of the KBO and is looking to continue his success in the league.

Park Hae-min is a versatile outfielder who can play all three positions in the outfield. Park Hae-min is a hard-working player who is looking to contribute to the LG Twins in the future. 

Park Hae-min is a professional baseball player who currently plays for the Samsung Lions in the KBO League. He was born on July 12, 1991 in South Korea.

He has played in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions since 2013. He has played in a total of 154 games, accumulating a batting average of .287 and a home runs total of 45. 

He has also stolen 342 bases in his career, which is sixth in the KBO League history. He was part of the Korea national baseball team at the 2016 Olympics, playing in all six games.

He is also a part of the Korea national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he played in all six games. He was selected to the Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team.

27. Park Kun-woo

Doosan Bears

Park Kun-woo

Park Kun-woo is a right fielder for the NC Dinos in the KBO league. He was born on September 8, 1990 in South Korea. He has played for the NC Dinos since he made his debut in 2010.

Park has batted and thrown right-handed. He has a batting average of .236 and a slugging percentage of .374. Park has scored 118 runs and driven in 132 in 330 games played. He has been selected to the KBO All-Star team twice.

In the 2013 season, Park was named the KBO Player of the Year. Park is a member of the South Korea national baseball team. Park Kun-woo is a right-handed pitcher who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 195 pounds. He was drafted by the Doosan Bears in the 2009 KBO Draft.

Park has pitched in the KBO for the Doosan Bears since 2009. He has a record of 119-59. In the 2013 KBO season, Park had a record of 16-4 with a 2.87 ERA. In the 2018 KBO season, Park had a record of 21-4 with a 2.49 ERA. In the 2019 KBO season, Park had a record of 17-4 with a 2.40 ERA.

In the 2020 KBO season, Park had a record of 18-4 with a 2.35 ERA. In the 2021 KBO season, Park had a record of 20-4 with a 2.30 ERA. Park signed a contract extension with the Doosan Bears in March of 2021.

28. Choi Hyoung-woo

Career

  • KBO Rookie of the Year (2008), 5x Golden Glove (2011, 2013–2014, 2016–2017)

Choi Hyoung-woo is a Korean-born outfielder who has played in the KBO for the Kia Tigers since 2002. Choi has a batting average of .321 in KBO play and has also been a solid fielder, having won three KBO Gold Gloves.

Choi is a free agent after the 2020 season and has been linked to a number of teams, including the Hanwha Eagles and the Lotte Giants. Choi is a three-time KBO Gold Glove winner and is an integral part of the Kia Tigers' success in the league.

Choi Hyoung-woo was a standout player for the Samsung Lions in the KBO. He won 5 Golden Glove Awards and was Rookie of the Year in 2008. Choi Hyoung-woo signed with the Kia Tigers in 2017 and has had a successful career in the NPB.

29. Son Ah-seop

NC Dinos

Son Ah-seop Career

  • 4x KBO League Golden Glove Award (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), 2× KBO hits leader (2012, 2013)

Son Ah-seop was born on March 18, 1988 in Busan, South Korea. He played in the KBO for the Lotte Giants from 2007-2019. Son Ah-seop has a batting average of .322 and has hit 148 home runs in his career.

Son Ah-seop was a part of the South Korean team that won the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He is currently a free agent and is looking to return to the KBO. Son Ah-seop has made a huge impact on the KBO and is one of the most well-known players in the league.

Son Ah-seop is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder who currently plays for the Lotte Giants. Son Ah-seop made his professional debut with the Lotte Giants in 2007 and has since played for the club in all three Korean Baseball Leagues (KBO, NPB, and LCP).

3.Son Ah-seop is a three-time KBO League Golden Glove Award winner and two-time KBO hits leader. 

Son Ah-seop was named to the South Korea national baseball team for the first time in 2015 and has since played in at least one international tournament each year. Son Ah-seop is a two-time winner of the Best Nine Award, given to the best defensive player in the KBO League.

Son Ah-seop is reportedly in the final stages of negotiation to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

30. Oh Ji-hwan

Oh Ji-hwan Career

  • KBO All-Star selection (2010)

Oh Ji-hwan is a shortstop for the LG Twins. He made his debut with the Twins in 2009. He has played in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. He has a batting average of .259 with 33 home runs and 122 RBI in 367 games.

He is a switch hitter who throws right-handed. He is considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the KBO. He is a two-time KBO MVP and two-time Golden Glove winner. He is a member of the South Korean national team and competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

He is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2018 season. Oh Ji-hwan is a skilled hitter who can also play defense. He has developed into one of the most consistent hitters in the KBO. 

He has led the Twins to two KBO championships and one Korea Series title. Oh Ji-hwan is a three-time KBO MVP and two-time KBO Golden Glove Award winner.

He is a member of the South Korea national baseball team. Oh Ji-hwan is a popular player in the Twins' fan base. He is a proud member of the KBO Players Association. Oh Ji-hwan is an excellent teammate and ambassador for the Twins. He is one of the most respected players in the KBO.

31. Jeon Jun-woo

Jeon Jun-woo is a right-handed outfielder for the Lotte Giants. Jeon has batted and thrown right-handed since beginning his professional career. Jeon has consistently been one of the best players in the KBO for the past few seasons.

Jeon was a key part of the South Korea national baseball team that won the gold medal at the 2010 World Baseball Classic. Jeon is in the final year of his contract with the Lotte Giants and is expected to be a key player for the team in the next few seasons.

Jeon is married and has a one-year-old daughter. Jeon is a devout Christian and often promotes Christianity through his playing career. 

Jeon is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and is likely to join a higher-level team in the near future. Jeon Jun-woo is a professional Korean Baseball player who has played for the Lotte Giants since 2008.

Jeon has been a consistent hitter throughout his career, batting .295 with 131 home runs and 536 RBIs. Jeon has also been a valuable contributor on the defensive end, winning three MVP Awards and being named to six All-Star teams. 

Jeon is currently in his 12th season with the Giants and is one of the most popular players on the team. Jeon is a two-time Asian Games gold medalist and is one of the most decorated players in Korean Baseball history.

Jeon is married with two children and is currently a member of the Police Baseball Team.

32. Kim Sun Bin

KIA Tigers

Kim Sun Bin was born on December 18, 1989 in South Jeolla, South Korea. Kim Sun Bin was signed by the Kia Tigers as a shortstop in 2009. Kim Sun Bin has played in the Korean Baseball Organization since 2009.

Kim Sun Bin has a batting average of .283 and a slugging percentage of .544 in 511 games. Kim Sun Bin has been selected to the KBO All-Star team twice (2011, 2012). Kim Sun Bin was selected to the South Korea national baseball team in 2010.

Kim Sun Bin is a two-time winner of the Golden Glove Award (2011, 2012). Kim Sun Bin is a two-time winner of the Best Nine Award (2011, 2012). Kim Sun Bin is a three-time winner of the Hankook Award (2011, 2012, 2013). Kim Sun Bin was born on October 5, 1988 in South Korea.

Kim Sun Bin is a left-handed hitter and has played for the Kia Tigers since 2008. Kim Sun Bin has played in over 1,000 games in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) and has a batting average

 of .301 and a home run total of 23. Kim Sun Bin has played in five KBO All-Star games and has won three awards: Best Nine-hole Player in 2012, Best Three-hole Player in 2011, and Best Outfielder in 2018.

Kim Sun Bin is a two-time KBO MVP, winning the award in 2012 and 2018. Kim Sun Bin was selected to the Korean national team in 2007 and has played in over 50 international games. Kim Sun Bin is currently a free agent and is looking for a new team in the KBO or in another professional league.

33. Oh Jae-il

Oh Jae-il Career

  • 3x Korean Series champion (2015, 2016, 2019), Korean Series MVP (2019)

Oh Jae-il made his professional baseball debut with the Hyundai Unicorns in 2005. He has spent the majority of his career with the Samsung Lions, where he has been a regular player over the past six seasons.

Oh Jae-il is a left-handed first baseman and throws left-handed. Oh Jae-il has played in 260 games over the course of his KBO career, batting .265 with 161 hits and 47 RBI. Oh Jae-il was named to the KBO All-Star Team in both 2016 and 2017.

Oh Jae-il is currently in his sixth season with the Samsung Lions and is expected to be a key part of the team going forward. Oh Jae-il is a former Korean-born player who played for the Hyundai Unicorns and Nexen Heroes in the KBO League. 

Oh Jae-il is a three-time Korean Series champion and MVP, and is currently playing for the Samsung Lions.

Oh Jae-il is known for his batting average and home run numbers, and is a key part of the Samsung Lions' championship hopes. Oh Jae-il is a popular player in South Korea, and is often mentioned in discussions of the country's best players.

34. Sim Woo-jun

Sim Woo-jun is an infielder for the KT Wiz. He was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1995. He played for the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the KBO League. He had a good year in 2017 and was named to the KBO All-Star team.

In 2018, he was traded to the KT Wiz. He had a good year with the Wiz and was named to the KBO All-Star team. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2nd round of the 2016 KBO Draft. He has played for the Korea national baseball team and has been in the international amateur competitions.

He will be playing for the KT Wiz in the 2019 season. Sim Woo-jun is a South Korean right-handed pitcher who made his debut in the Korea Baseball Organization with the KT Wiz in March 2016. 

He is a graduate of Kyung Hee University, where he played college baseball for the Kyung Hee Eagles. In 122 innings with the Wiz, he has a 3.59 ERA and 24 home runs allowed.

In November 2018, he was traded to the Hanwha Eagles in a three-team deal. He has been selected to play for the South Korea national baseball team in the 2018 World Baseball Classic. He is married and has two daughters.

35. An Chi-hong

An Chi-hong Career

  • 2009 KBO All-Star Game MVP, Korean Series champion (2009), KBO Golden Glove Award winner (2011)

An Chi-hong is a talented infielder who has played for the Lotte Giants since 2009. He has been a consistent contributor for the Giants, batting over .300 with over 500 RBIs and 98 home runs in his career.

An Chi-hong has also been a valuable member of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) All-Star team and won the KBO MVP Award in 2018. He is a powerful hitter with a good eye at the plate and is a great option for the Giants in the middle infield.

An Chi-hong is a hard worker and is always looking to improve his game. He is a valuable asset to the Giants and will continue to play important roles for the team in the future. An Chi-hong is a great role model for young ballplayers and is an important part of the Lotte Giants team.

An Chi-hong is a Kia Tigers infielder who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 KBO Draft. An Chi-hong has played in 137 games for the Tigers over the course of six seasons, hitting .271 with 22 doubles and 4 triples. 

In 2018, An Chi-hong helped the Kia Tigers to their first Korean Series championship in franchise history.

An Chi-hong was awarded the KBO Golden Glove Award in 2011, and was named the MVP of the 2009 KBO All-Star Game. 

An Chi-hong is a South Korean citizen and is eligible to play for the South Korea national baseball team. An Chi-hong is expected to compete for a starting infield spot with the Tigers in 2019.

36. Jung Eun-won

Jung Eun-won is a 23-year-old infielder for the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO. Jung is a left-handed batter and thrower and was signed by the Eagles in 2016.

Jung has played in 43 games for the Eagles this season and is batting .269 with four home runs and 21 RBI. Jung has played in the Korean Baseball League since 2015 and is a two-time KBO All-Star.

Jung is a student at Incheon National University and is majoring in business administration. Jung is the son of former major league infielder Doo-Sung Jung. Jung was born in Incheon, South Korea and raised in Busan, South Korea.

Jung is a popular player in South Korea and has been called the "Korean David Ortiz" by some. Jung is expected to be a key player for the Eagles in the playoffs. Jung Eun-won debuted with the Hanwha Eagles on April 1st of this year.

Jung Eun-won is a right-handed hitter and bats left handed. Jung Eun-won has been a consistent contributor for the Hanwha Eagles, hitting over .265 with 22 home runs and 148 RBIs. Jung Eun-won is a strong defender and has led the team in several defensive categories.

Jung Eun-won is a determined player and is looking to help the Hanwha Eagles reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Jung Eun-won is a valuable player to the Hanwha Eagles and is a key part of the team’s future.

37. No Jin-hyuk

Lotte Giants

No Jin-hyuk made his professional baseball debut with the NC Dinos in 2009. He has played shortstop for the Dinos since then, and has had an up-and-down career.

In 2016, he had a breakout season, batting .295 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI. He is a free agent this offseason and is expected to test the free agent market. No Jin-hyuk is a left-handed hitter and throws right-handed.

No Jin-hyuk is a South Korean right-handed pitcher who has played for the NC Dinos in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He made his KBO debut in 2012 with the NC Dinos and has gone on to pitch for the team through 2019.

In 2019, No Jin-hyuk led the KBO in strikeouts with 176 and also ranked second in ERA with 2.85. No Jin-hyuk is a two-time KBO MVP and is often considered one of the best pitchers in the KBO. He has also been named to the KBO All-Star team on two occasions.

No Jin-hyuk is a South Korean national team player and has played in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. He made his international debut in 2012 and has since played in several international competitions. 

No Jin-hyuk is often considered one of the best pitchers in the world and is a potential 2020 Olympic Gold Medal contender. He is currently signed to the NC Dinos through the 2019 season.

Final Words

The KBO League is South Korea’s premier baseball league, and its history stretches back over fifty years. Over that time, many of the league’s best players have come and gone, but a select few have left an indelible mark on the league and the sport as a whole.

These players are known as the “KBO League Best Players of All Time.”

Photo of author

Kevin Smith

I am a dedicated learner who is constantly pursuing my dreams in many areas of life. I am a Finance major at the University of Maryland, a professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and the owner of my personal brand, Elevate Baseball. I hope to inspire younger learners of all sports and interests to tirelessly pursue their dreams, whatever that may be. LinkedIn

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