Kim Ha-seong and Noh Si-hwan Omitted from MLB.com's Top 30 Free Agents for 2027; Four Japanese Players Included

Kim Ha-seong (31), who has hit the free agent (FA) market for the third consecutive year, failed to secure a spot in MLB.com's top 30 free agents for 2027.

Noh Si-hwan (25, Hanwha Eagles), who is pursuing a move to Major League Baseball (MLB) through the posting system (private competitive bidding), was also left off the list.

MLB.com released its rankings of the 30 free agents to watch this winter on November 1 (local time).

Kim first earned FA status after the 2024 season, and after exercising his opt-out clause last year and completing his one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves this year, he has returned to the market.

Having signed a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta last winter, Kim sought a rebound but struggled with injuries and slumps this year.

In January, he slipped on an icy road in South Korea and injured a tendon in his right middle finger, delaying his start to the season due to surgery and rehabilitation.

He appeared in 51 games this year, managing a batting average of 0.116 (15 hits in 129 at-bats) with 9 RBIs and 11 runs scored.

He did not hit a home run, and his OPS (on-base plus slugging) stalled at 0.359.


Noh is pursuing his advancement to the big leagues through the posting system with the consent of the Hanwha club.

The KBO headquarters requested Noh's posting to the MLB office on October 31.

The 30 MLB clubs can negotiate a contract with Noh for 30 days starting the day after the posting notice.

Debuting with Hanwha in 2019, Noh has recorded a career batting average of 0.267 with 153 home runs and 586 RBIs across eight seasons in the KBO League through this year.

This season, he played in 127 games, posting a batting average of 0.283 (143 hits in 505 at-bats) with 29 home runs and 96 RBIs.

In contrast, four Japanese players were included in the top 30.

Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato, who is attempting to advance to MLB through posting like Noh, ranked 4th.

Sato was selected as the Central League Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2025 season and captured the batting triple crown this year.

Seibu Lions right-handed pitcher Kaima Taira came in at No. 22.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who recorded 26 home runs, 86 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.841 across 143 games this season, placed 5th.

Cubs left-handed pitcher Shōta Imanaga, who made 32 starts this year and finished with an 11-10 record and a 3.77 ERA, ranked 25th.

The top free agent prize this winter was projected to be left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Skubal, who won consecutive American League Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, made 26 starts this year between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 2.72 ERA.

Right-handed pitcher Michael King, who played for the San Diego Padres this season, and Freddy Peralta, who finished the season with the Tampa Bay Rays, ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
 
(Photo: Getty Images, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.