Kim Jae-yoon
| Kim Jae-yoon | |
|---|---|
| Samsung Lions – No. 62 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: September 16, 1990 Seoul, South Korea | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| KBO debut | |
| May 17, 2015, for the KT Wiz | |
| KBO statistics (through 2025) | |
| Win–loss record | 52-48 |
| Earned Run Average | 3.77 |
| Strikeouts | 636 |
| Saves | 193 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Kim Jae-yoon (Korean: 김재윤; Hanja: 金載潤; born September 16, 1990) is a South Korean professional baseball relief pitcher for the Samsung Lions of the KBO League. He has previously played for the KT Wiz.
Professional career
Minor leagues
After graduating from Whimoon High School, Kim went undrafted and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, signing for a $150,000 signing bonus. He played in the team's minor leagues until being released in 2012, after which he completed his active military service.
KT Wiz
After his military service, Kim participated in the overseas player tryouts[1] and was selected by the KT Wiz as a special priority draft pick. After a two-year grace period, he entered the draft and received no signing bonus. Initially a catcher, the Wiz recognized his potential as a pitcher and converted him to that position in 2015. In his debut, he surprised everyone by striking out three consecutive batters. On July 1, 2015, in a game against the SK Wyverns, with one out and the bases loaded, he utilized his signature fastball, which exceeds 150 km/h (93 mph), a fastball, and a slider, striking out two consecutive batters and forcing out a groundout to avoid giving up a run. He continued to throw around 40 pitches, not allowing a single run. He earned the win that day, marking his first win since his debut.[2]
During the 2021 season, the KT Wiz became regular season champions after defeating the Samsung Lions in an additional tiebreaker and advanced directly to the Korean Series, in which the team won, with Kim himself winning his first (and so far only) Korean Series and posted three saves there.[3][4]
Samsung Lions
Kim became a free agent after the 2023 season and signed with the Samsung Lions on a four-year, total contract worth up to 5.8 billion won (2 billion won signing bonus, 2.8 billion won annual salary, and 1 billion won in incentives) on November 22, 2023.[5][6]
By the end of 2025 season, Kim became the leading active KBO League pitcher with the most saves following the retirement of former teammate Oh Seung-hwan.[7]
References
- ^ "드래프트에 나서는 해외파의 트라이아웃, '그것이 알고 싶다'" (in Korean). 홍희정 칼럼.
- ^ "애리조나 출신 KT 포수 김재윤, 투수로 새 출발한다" (in Korean). OSEN.
- ^ "KT Wiz win KBO tiebreaker game to reach 1st Korean Series". The Korea Herald. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ "(LEAD) How sweep it is: KT Wiz defeat Doosan Bears in 4 straight for 1st Korean Series title". Yonhap News Agency. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ "All-Star pitcher Kim Jae-yoon joins Samsung Lions on four-year, ￦5.8-billion deal". Korea JoonnAng Daily. November 22, 2023.
- ^ Yoo Jee-ho (November 22, 2023). "Samsung Lions sign All-Star closer Kim Jae-yoon in free agency". Yonhap News Agency.
- ^ "KBO saves leader Oh Seung-hwan doesn't regret decision to retire". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)