The MLB Pipeline: How the Kiwoom Heroes Became Baseball’s Unlikeliest Talent Factory

The Kiwoom Heroes may not have a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) championship trophy, but they've mastered a different game: exporting elite talent to Major League Baseball. This week, their captain and All-Star third baseman, Song Sung-mun, became the sixth player to graduate from the Seoul-based club to the big leagues, signing a four-year deal with the San Diego Padres and cementing his former team's status as an unparalleled MLB pipeline.

The contract is reportedly worth $15 million, according to a Yonhap report. "We'd like to offer our warmest congratulations to Song Sung-mun," the Heroes said in a statement. "We are proud to have the sixth member of the Heroes join the majors. We hope he will continue to play well on an even bigger stage."

Kiwoom's track record is staggering. Of the 10 KBO players who have ever moved to MLB via the posting system, all six position players have come from the Heroes. The pipeline started with shortstop Kang Jung-ho (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2015) and was followed by Park Byung-ho (Minnesota Twins), Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres), Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants), and Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Song’s arrival in the NL West sets the stage for a compelling reunion tour. He'll now compete in the same division as his former teammates Lee Jung-hoo (Giants) and Kim Hye-seong (Dodgers). With the Padres slated to play the Giants and Dodgers 13 times each in the 2026 season, these matchups of KBO alumni are set to become a major storyline for global baseball fans.

Beyond the bragging rights, this strategy is a financial masterstroke for the Heroes. Under the posting system, KBO clubs receive a "release fee" based on the player's contract value. For Song's $15 million deal, the Padres will pay the Heroes $3 million (20% of the total). To date, the Heroes have collected over $40 million in these fees, turning player development into a core revenue stream.