Sung-mun Song

Sung-mun Song
Song with the Kiwoom Heroes
San Diego Padres – No. 24
Infielder
Born: (1996-08-29) 29 August 1996
Seoul, South Korea
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Professional debut
KBO: May 6, 2015, for the Nexen Heroes
MLB: April 26, 2026, for the San Diego Padres
KBO statistics
(through 2025 season)
Batting average.283
Home runs80
Runs batted in454
MLB statistics
(through June 21, 2026)
Batting average.200
Home runs0
Runs batted in5
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Sung-mun Song (born 29 August 1996) is a South Korean professional baseball third baseman for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in the KBO League for the Nexen / Kiwoom Heroes from 2015 to 2025 and joined the Padres in 2026.

Career

Nexen / Kiwoom Heroes

Song debuted for the Nexen Heroes in 2015.[1] He did not become a regular for the Heroes until 2019, and missed the 2020 season and beginning of the 2021 season while fulfilling military service.[2] In 2024, Song was named an All-Star for the first time as well as team captain.[3]

On August 4, 2025, the Heroes signed Song to a six-year contract extension worth ₩12 billion.[2] He requested that the Heroes post him to Major League Baseball after the season.[4]

San Diego Padres

On December 22, 2025, Song signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the San Diego Padres of MLB. The team will also pay for an interpreter and roundtrip tickets from South Korea. Song will receive an additional $1 million signing bonus in two installments.[5]

Song began the 2026 season on the injured list due to a strained oblique muscle.[6] He was activated and optioned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas on April 16.[7] Song made his MLB debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 26 during the MLB Mexico City Series.[8]

References

  1. ^ "U.S. agent says KBO star Song Sung-mun 'looks like a guy that belongs' in MLB". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. September 4, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Heroes sign captain Song Sung-mun to 6-year extension - The Korea Times". www.koreatimes.co.kr. August 4, 2025.
  3. ^ Jee-ho, Yoo (July 17, 2024). "(Yonhap Interview) Maturity, sense of urgency, supportive wife: how KBO infielder is enjoying career year". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "Heroes infielder Song Sung-mun to ask to be posted for MLB teams - The Korea Times". www.koreatimes.co.kr. August 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Blum, Ronald (2025-12-21). "South Korean infielder Sung-mun Song and Padres finalize a $15 million, 4-year contract". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  6. ^ Cassavell, AJ (March 22, 2026). "Song to start season on IL, not expected to miss extended time". MLB.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  7. ^ McDonald, Darragh (April 16, 2026). "Padres Option Sung-Mun Song". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  8. ^ "Padres call up Song as 27th man for Mexico City Series". MLB.com. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2026.