Jun-Seok Shim

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #19 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Shim was the top signing in Pittsburgh’s 2023 international class, which opened on Jan. 15. He was coveted because of his combination of physicality, polish and present stuff. He dealt with an elbow injury that cut short his 2021 season and then missed significant time again in 2023 with an injury to his pectoral muscles. He struck out 13 hitters in the eight innings he pitched before landing on the IL.
  
  Scouting Report: In the brief time he was on the mound, Shim showed some of the best pure stuff in the Florida Complex League. His fastball sat between 95-98 mph with carry through the zone, and his curveball showed spin rates better than 3,000 rpm. He throws a slider as well, though sometimes the two breaking balls blend together. He and the Pirates worked to add a changeup to his mix as well. There were concerns about whether Shim had enough mobility in his hips to eventually handle a starter’s workload. They believe there was progress in that regard, but also acknowledge it might have led to the chest injury. Even in the brief time Shim pitched in games, scouts were impressed with his stuff, poise and calm demeanor on the hill.
  
  The Future: Shim will turn 20 in the first week of the minor league season, and he might be advanced enough to jump to Low-A instead of returning to the FCL. He has some of the most eye-opening upside of any of the youngest arms in the Pirates’ system.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #18 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Shim was the top prospect in South Korea when the Pirates signed him for $750,000 soon after the international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Shim has a power arm with a fastball that would stack up among the best prep pitchers in the 2022 draft. He sits at 92-96 mph, with the ability to reach back and dial it up to 98 mph. It's a lively fastball with good carry up in the zone. Shim's fastball is his best pitch, but he shows feel for sharp-breaking curveball and splitter mixed in too.
  
  The Future: Shim is still several years away from being big league ready, but he immediately becomes one of the organization's best arms in the lower levels of the farm system.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 45. Curveball: 50. Splitter: 45. Control: 50.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Shim was the top prospect in South Korea when the Pirates signed him for $750,000 soon after the international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Shim has a power arm with a fastball that would stack up among the best prep pitchers in the 2022 draft. He sits at 92-96 mph, with the ability to reach back and dial it up to 99 mph. It's a lively fastball with good carry up in the zone. Shim's fastball is his best pitch, but he shows feel for a low-80s slider as well, with an occasional low-70s curveball and changeup mixed in too.
  
  The Future: Shim is still several years away from being big league ready, but he immediately becomes one of the organization's best arms in the lower levels of the farm system.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Curveball: 45. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Shim was the top prospect in South Korea when the Pirates signed him for $750,000 soon after the international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Shim has a power arm with a fastball that would stack up among the best prep pitchers in the 2022 draft. He sits at 92-96 mph, with the ability to reach back and dial it up to 98 mph. It's a lively fastball with good carry up in the zone. Shim's fastball is his best pitch, but he shows feel for sharp-breaking curveball and splitter mixed in too.
  
  The Future: Shim is still several years away from being big league ready, but he immediately becomes one of the organization's best arms in the lower levels of the farm system.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 45. Curveball: 50. Splitter: 45. Control: 50.