“3B Do Yeong Kim is a name to remember for MLB fans.”
Famous MLB journalist Jon Morosi has spotlighted KIA Tigers infielder Kim Do Yeong. He praised Kim, who became the youngest player in KBO League history to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, and stated that he will be a key player for South Korea in the upcoming 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 tournament in November.
On his social media today, Morosi wrote, “3B Do Yeong Kim is a name to remember for MLB fans.”
He added, “Kim, 20, is likely to have a key role for Team Korea at the upcoming Premier12 tournament,” noting, “He just became the youngest KBO player to have a 30/30 season.”
On August 15, during a game against Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome, Kim made headlines by setting the record for the youngest and fastest player to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in KBO history.
The 30-30 club, symbolizing both power and speed, had only been reached eight times before Kim in the KBO League. Previous members include Park Jae Hong in 1996, Lee Jong Beom in 1997, Park Jae Hong again in 1998, Hong Hyun Woo, Lee Byung Kyu, Jay Davis in 1999, and Eric Thames (40-40) in 2015.
Kim became the first Korean-born player to join the 30-30 club in 24 years, following Park Jae Hong in 2000.
He achieved the 30-30 milestone at 20, setting a record as the youngest player ever. He broke the previous record held by Park Jae Hong, who achieved it at 22, by nearly two years. Furthermore, Kim also set a new record by achieving the feat in just 111 games, surpassing the previous mark of 112 games set by Eric Thames in 2015.
Kim joined KIA Tigers as the first overall pick in the 2022 draft. This year, he has played in 114 games, boasting a batting average of .341 (151 hits in 443 at-bats), with 31 home runs, 89 RBIs, 111 runs scored, and 34 stolen bases.