Korean Star Song Sung-mun Signs With the San Diego Padres
If there is one thing we know about San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller, it’s that the man treats the offseason like an all-you-can-eat buffet—he simply cannot leave a talented plate untouched. The Padres have agreed to terms with Korean breakout star Song Sung-mun. The deal is reportedly in the neighborhood of $13 to $15 million over three years. It’s a move that screams “depth,” but if you look at the numbers, it might just scream “steal.”
Who Is Song Sung-mun?
Unless you’re the type of die-hard baseball nerd who wakes up at 3:00 AM to catch KBO livestreams, the name Song Sung-mun might be new to you. But looking at his recent production, he’s a name you’ll want to learn fast.
The 29-year-old infielder is coming over from the Kiwoom Heroes. Sun is a lefty bat who throws right, and he’s entering the MLB after the best stretch of baseball of his life. We aren’t talking about a guy who just slapped singles; Song has transformed into a legitimate offensive threat.
The Stats That Caught San Diego’s Eye
Song’s trajectory is the kind of story that scouts dream about. He didn’t start as a superstar. He grinded. He lost nearly two full seasons (2020-2021) fulfilling his mandatory military service in Korea—a hurdle that often derails careers. Instead, Song came back and eventually found a new gear.
In 2024, he was a machine. He hit .340 with an OPS of .927. He didn’t just hit for average; he found his power stroke, launching 19 homers and driving in 104 runs. But here is the kicker: he backed that up in 2025 with another monster year, hitting .315, crushing 26 homers, and swiping 25 bases.
When you see a guy post a .327/.399/.524 slash line with 45 homers and nearly 200 RBI over two years, you sign him. It doesn’t matter what league he’s in; those are video game numbers.
Where Does He Fit On the Diamond?
This is where the “Preller Magic” (or madness, depending on who you ask) comes in. The Padres love infielders. They collect them like Pokémon. With Manny Machado locked in at third and Xander Bogaerts at short, the left side of the infield is a fortress.
So, where does mun play? Mun is primarily a third baseman, but he has experience at first and second base. This versatility is likely what sold San Diego. With the departure of utility man Tyler Wade and the potential loss of Luis Arraez, the Padres needed a guy who could plug holes. mun isn’t just a depth piece, though. At $15 million, he’s expected to contribute. Whether he takes over second base duties or becomes a super-utility weapon remains to be seen, but his bat suggests he won’t be riding the pine for long.
Why This Move Matters
There is a human element here that makes this signing special. mun is 29. He’s not a 21-year-old prospect. He’s a guy who served his country, battled through a sub-.700 OPS slump in ’22 and ’23, and worked his way into a massive Major League payday.
For Padres fans, the hope is that he replicates the success of Ha-Seong Kim, bringing that distinct KBO energy and contact-heavy approach to Petco Park. If his power translates to the big leagues, that $13 million price tag is going to look like pocket change.
