Australian SS Jayden Kim competing for Pittsburgh Pirates in MLB.
Jayden Joon-seok Kim is a right-handed-hitting, right-handed-throwing infielder whose primary position is shortstop. He was born in Goyang, South Korea, on August 2, 2006, and moved to Victoria, Australia, with his family in 2021. His father, David Kim, has Australian baseball connections and played seven seasons in the Korea Baseball Organisation, while Jayden developed through junior baseball in Korea before continuing his pathway with Sandringham Baseball Club and the Maribyrnong Sports Academy in Melbourne. In Korea, he played for Ilsan West and was regularly recognised in MVP voting, reportedly helping his junior team win five championships in one year. After adapting to Australian baseball, Kim represented Australia-related development and youth programmes and was named to the MLB World Select Team in 2023. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him to a minor-league contract on December 14, 2023, making him one of a small group of Australians with MLB-affiliated contracts. He began his professional career in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, continued with Pirates Gold in 2025, and moved between the Florida Complex League and Florida State League in 2026. His documented professional experience remains in the minor leagues, with no verified Major League Baseball appearance. As at August 18, 2026, the supplied provider lists him as an inactive Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop; the latest accessible MLB transaction information lists him with FCL Pirates.
First big break
Kim’s first major professional breakthrough was signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 14, 2023, following his move from Korea to Victoria, development with Sandringham Baseball Club and the Maribyrnong Sports Academy, and recognition in Australian and international youth baseball. A 2023 Baseball Australia report described him as a Korean-born, Victorian-based prospect and stated that he became one of 26 Australians with an MLB-affiliated contract.
Key stats & awards
Across three recorded minor-league seasons through the latest accessible 2026 statistics, Kim had 94 games, 255 plate appearances, 195 at-bats, 40 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 0 home runs, 31 runs batted in, 9 stolen bases, 48 walks, 67 strikeouts, a .205 batting average, .376 on-base percentage, .241 slugging percentage and .617 OPS. His best recorded 2026 split was a .350 average and .785 OPS in seven Florida Complex League games. Verified honours include selection to the 2023 MLB World Select Team and a Sporting Blue Award at Maribyrnong College; his Korean junior championships are included separately as reported youth achievements.
Famous moments
His most defining documented moment was signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in December 2023 after relocating from South Korea to Victoria and progressing through Australian baseball. He also became associated with the Melbourne Aces and was selected for the 2023 MLB World Select Team. No verified Major League debut, MLB hit, championship or nationally televised defining moment was found.
