Kim Ha-seong Placed in Lowest Tier by MLB Official Site Following Injury-Plagued Season
Kim Ha-seong has landed in the lowest tier of Major League Baseball’s newly released free-agent classifications. Major League Baseball’s official website published evaluations for 181 players who entered the free-agent market this offseason, dividing them into five tiers.
Kim, 31, joins pitchers Chris Bassitt, Craig Kimbrel, and Tomoyuki Sugano in the fifth tier, which represents the lowest category in the assessment. Last year, Kim declined his option and exercised free-agent rights, then signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Atlanta Braves to chase a breakout campaign in 2026. Instead, physical setbacks disrupted his season.
Injuries Derail Kim’s Atlanta Campaign
A right-middle-finger surgery following a January ice fall sidelined Kim into May. Additional physical issues surfaced once he returned, forcing him to bounce between the majors and the minor leagues.
Kim appeared in 51 games for Atlanta, posting a .116 batting average with 15 hits in 129 at-bats, nine RBIs, 11 runs scored, and a .359 OPS. The Braves did not extend a qualifying offer to Kim when the season concluded, returning him to the open market.
Sato and Top Stars Claim Upper Tiers
While Kim fell to the bottom tier, Tarik Skubal claimed the sole spot in the first tier. The left-hander won consecutive American League Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025.
MLB.com noted that Skubal stands alongside Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto among the game’s elite players. The second tier features Jake Bauers, Seiya Suzuki, Luis Arraez, Sonny Gray, and Randy Arozarena. Teruaki Sato, who applied for posting after winning the Central League batting triple crown in Japan, also landed in the second tier.
Noh Si-hwan Omitted From Major League Evaluations
Hanwha Eagles slugger Noh Si-hwan, who declared his intention to reach the major leagues through the posting system, did not appear anywhere on the MLB.com evaluation list.
Noh recently visited Suwon KT Wiz Park alongside Kang Baek-ho to watch Game 2 of the 2026 KBO postseason Korean Series between KT Wiz and the Samsung Lions. The 26-year-old watched from central seating.
Kim Ha-Seong Receives Lowest Tier Rating After Injury-Shortened Season
Why did Kim Ha-seong receive a five-tier rating from MLB.com?
Kim finished in the lowest tier following an injury-shortened 2026 season where he appeared in just 51 games for the Atlanta Braves. Hand surgery in January delayed his debut until May, and subsequent physical issues limited him to a .116 batting average.
Did the Atlanta Braves attempt to retain Kim Ha-seong?
The Braves did not issue a qualifying offer to Kim after the season ended, returning him to the free-agent market.
How did Noh Si-hwan prepare for his major league posting?
Noh declared his ambition to reach the major leagues through the posting system and attended Game 2 of the 2026 KBO Korean Series in Suwon alongside Kang Baek-ho.
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