3 Potential Future KBO Free Agents Dodgers Fans Should Be Watching

The KBO regular season is officially underway, and you can expect that the league's most prominent stars will soon become household names in the states. Not only is ESPN televising games, but it's the only major sports league being played, albeit without fans, in light of the coronavirus crisis.

That means MLB clubs will be on the prowl in terms of scouting top talent. Enter the Los Angeles Dodgers, who never hesitate to make a blockbuster move. The reigning NL champs have the league's second-highest payroll behind the New York Yankees, so they could easily afford one of these stars.

Here are three future free agents that the Dodgers should be keeping tabs on.

3. Ha-seong Kim

Ha-seong Kim is a shortstop for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO. / Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

We know that the Dodgers have Corey Seager and Gavin Lux set up as their middle infield of the future, but the former has a concerning injury history through his five years as a pro. Landing Ha-seong Kim would serve as an incredible contingency plan if one of those two young stars were to be shelved with injury. Kim is a seven-year veteran of the KBO despite being just 24 years old. He's a career .292/.371/.487 hitter who swiped 33 bases on 37 attempts in 2019 with 19 home runs and 104 RBI to boot.

2. Jung-hoo Lee

KBO slugger Jung-hoo Lee / Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

The Dodgers outfield is presently stacked, but it really remains to be seen if the club intends to sign Mookie Betts to a long-term extension. It's also unclear if Betts will want to remain with the franchise at season's end. Signing Jung-hoo Lee will serve as tremendous insurance should the former AL MVP leave after one season. Los Angeles also unloaded top OF prospect Alex Verdugo in the Betts trade. Lee, a slugger for the Kiwoom Heroes, won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2017. In three years in the KBO, the 21-year-old has hit .338/.397/.449. with 94 doubles and 172 RBI.

1. Hyun-jong Yang

Hyeon-jong Yang is one of the best hurlers in the KBO. / KAZUHIRO NOGI/Getty Images

Yang has dominated overseas for years now, and he might look to the MLB as a new challenge. Why he's such a great fit for the Dodgers comes down to the fact that, at 32 years old, he'd be ready to contribute from Day 1. In 2019, Yang finished 16-8 in 29 starts with a 2.29 ERA, 163 strikeouts and a 1.072 WHIP. The Kia Tigers star would be a welcomed addition to Los Angeles' rotation which lost Hyun-Jin Ryu to free agency in the offseason.