In November 2005, Kim won the Lee Yeong-min Award,[1] given annually to the most outstanding high school hitter in South Korea.

Upon graduation from high school, Kim made himself eligible for the 2006 KBO First-Year Player Draft, but went undrafted.

[3] After struggling in spring training,[4] Kim ultimately made the team after refusing a minor league assignment[5] which led to him being booed on Opening Day.

[6] On April 10, 2016, Kim played his first career MLB game versus the Tampa Bay Rays.

He hit his First Major League Career home run on May 29, against the Cleveland Indians that broke a 4–4 tie in the 7th inning.

Three days later, on September 28, Kim hit a 2-run home run in the ninth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

[8] The Orioles were facing a 2–1 deficit at the time and Kim hit the go ahead, game-winning home run on the ninth pitch of his at-bat.

[8] On July 28, 2017, the Orioles traded Kim and Garrett Cleavinger to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Jeremy Hellickson.