Tara Murray
Maribyrnong Sports Academy student Jayden Kim is living the dream, having signed with Major Baseball League side, the Pittsburgh Pirates
The 17-year-old Korean-born, Victorian-based, Australian baseball prospect just signed a contract with the Pirates.
He joins rare company as one of just 26 Australians who now possess an MLB-affiliated contract.
Kim only moved to Australia in 2021 after his family, having had a successful junior career in Korea.
He made his first Victorian team just months after arriving in Australia and was then selected to represent Australia in 2022 and was chosen by the MBL to join a world select team to play various professional and university teams in Arizona.
“It was an amazing time,” Kim told Star Weekly in 2022. “I was coached by MLB coaches, some who had coached for over 17 years.
“It was a great opportunity for me to learn about different languages and cultures. I also learned about the way other countries play baseball.”
Kim will suit up for Victoria once again at the upcoming Australian Youth Championships in January.
Kim’s father, David, has been a scout for the Minnesota Twins in the MBL and has played baseball for Victoria and in the Australian Baseball League.
Kim thanked his family in an Instagram post following the news.
“Above all, I want to share this honoUr and say thank you to my family, who have always been the most supportive individuals in my life,” he said.
“Additionally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Pacific Rim scouts, Max Kwan, and Tony Harris, who believed in me and facilitated this contract.
“I also want to extend my thanks to Andrew Riddell from Baseball Australia, who has been immensely helpful since my arrival in Australia.
“Gratitude to Baseball Victoria and Sandringham Baseball Club for their support. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey.”
Kim is currently playing with Sandringham in Victoria’s state league and is a development player with the Melbourne Aces.
