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KBO hits leader Son Ah-seop sent to minors two weeks after trade to Bears

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 21:08

Son Ah-seop of the Doosan Bears celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the SSG Landers during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Incheon SSG Landers Field in the western city of Incheon on April 14 in this file photo provided by the Bears. [YONHAP]

Son Ah-seop, Korean baseball's career hits leader, has been sent to the minors two weeks after being traded.

The Doosan Bears on Wednesday sent Son to their affiliate in the Futures League, the farm circuit for the KBO. A player sent to the minors must spend at least 10 days away from their KBO club.

Son started the season with the Hanwha Eagles but was demoted to their minor league team after appearing in just one game as a pinch hitter on March 28. Then on April 14, the Eagles traded him to the Bears in exchange for a minor league pitcher and cash.

Son homered in his Bears debut later that same day and had another hit the very next day. In nine games since, however, Son has batted only 2-for-29 with two RBIs, seven strikeouts and one walk.

“We felt Son Ah-seop should try to get his rhythm back by playing in minor league games,” Bears manager Kim Won-hyong said Wednesday before facing the Samsung Lions at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. “I think he has been trying to do too much here, since he's a veteran guy arriving in a trade. Maybe he put too much pressure on himself to live up to expectations.”

Son sits atop the all-time leaderboard with 2,622 hits, but while he is in the Futures League, Son will likely be passed by Lions designated hitter Choi Hyoung-woo, who entered Wednesday's action with 2,614 hits.

As the oldest position player in the KBO this year at 42, Choi is batting a solid .308 with 28 hits to sit tied for 15th overall.

Kim Hyun-soo of the KT Wiz, with 2,566 hits, may also move past Son this season.

Yonhap