The past few days have been busy for the San Diego Padres. One day after retaining Michael King, the Padres have reportedly agreed to bring in KBO star Sung Mun Song. Song, a 29-year-old infielder, was one of the best offensive performers in the circuit this past year.
A Look at Song
Now-former Kiwoom Heroes infielder Sung Mun Song has been a regular with his old organization for the past four seasons. The 29-year-old, though, may have had his best season in 2025, one year after he drove in 104 runs.
The KBO veteran posted sub-.700 OPS figures in 2022 and 2023. However, he broke out in 2024, as he hit 19 home runs and 52 extra-base hits. Song also stole 21 bases.
This past year, Song did even better. Song finished top ten in the KBO in home runs (26), walks (68), and OPS (.917) this past season. He stole 25 bases for the Kiwoom Heroes.
Song didn’t strike out a lot in the KBO. He only struck out 96 times this past season over 144 games with the Heroes. Back in 2024, Song was punched out just 82 times over 142 contests.
Defensively, Song has played all over the infield. However, the bulk of his time has been spent at third base. The 29-year-old also played significant time at first and second base.
Song racked up errors at third, though. Just this past season, he had 13 errors in 111 games at the hot corner. Three years ago, Song picked up 15 errors at third base.
Analysis
We’ve seen Major League teams dip into the Korean market for talent over the past few seasons. Jung Hoo Lee, Ha-Seong Kim, and Hyeseong Kim have been among the notables to come over in the last decade. And, the Padres have been very much involved in that market.
San Diego brought Kim over, as well as Woo-Suk Go, two winters ago. Go was traded to Miami several months later to get Luis Arraez. Arraez, oddly enough, could be considered exactly why the Padres went after Song.
The Padres saw Arraez, a key piece of their infield over the last two seasons, defect to free agency. Song figures to be a part of the plan to replace Arraez, who may be priced out of San Diego.
With Song, the Padres’ infield group tentatively includes the 29-year-old, plus Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado. Given that Machado is locked in as the Padres’ third baseman, San Diego could shift Song to the right side of their infield for 2026.
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