After dominating the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) this past season, left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart returns to the United States, signing a one-year contract for $1 million with the Padres. The deal also includes a $5 million club option for 2026, which could reach up to $7.5 million based on the number of games that have started.
Hart, 32, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Indiana University. He would spend 2016-19 pitching throughout the Red Sox minor league organization. Hart was impressed during the 2019 season, pitching between the double-A and triple-A levels, going 12-13, posting a 3.52 ERA in 27 games and 24 starts, and striking out 140 batters across 156 innings.
He would make his MLB debut during the shortened 2020 season, making three starts in four appearances, going 0-1 with a 15.55 ERA, picking up 13 strikeouts in 11 innings. The following two seasons, Hart would spend back in the minors with the Red Sox, leading to his release after the 2022 season.
Hart signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor league deal for 2023 but only threw in one game at the Triple-A level before being released. The Mariners would sign him to a minor league contract for the remainder of the season. In 18 starts, Hart went 4-6 with a 4.58 ERA, logging 88.1 innings while striking out 85 batters.
But in 2024, Hart would join the NC Dinos in the KBO. He was imposing in his first season overseas, as he would make 26 starts, pitching to a 13-3 record, posting a 2.69 ERA, striking out 182 batters, and walking 38 over 157 innings on the mound. He would be rewarded for his performances, winning the Choi Dong-won Award, equivalent to the MLB’s Cy Young Award.
Hart will join a crowded Padres rotation as he will look to earn a spot as the other southpaw listed as a starting pitcher on their current roster. With Joe Musgrove expected to start the year on the Padres injured list, it could open the door for Hart to get several opportunities this Spring Training to prove himself worthy of opening the season in the Padres starting rotation.
