Career Timeline of Ji-hwan Bae: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 7, 2025

Discover the career path of Ji-hwan Bae, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Ji-hwan Bae is a South Korean professional baseball player, currently a center fielder and second baseman for the New York Mets in MLB. Prior to joining the Mets, Bae played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He initially signed with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent in 2017 and made his Major League Baseball debut in 2022.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Kwon Kwang-min signs with Chicago Cubs

In 2015, Kwon Kwang-min signed with the Chicago Cubs, becoming the first South Korean high school player to directly join professional baseball in the United States before Ji-hwan Bae.

September 23, 2017: Signing with the Atlanta Braves

On September 23, 2017, the Atlanta Braves announced the signing of Ji-hwan Bae as a free agent.

2017: U-18 Baseball World Cup

In 2017, Ji-hwan Bae represented South Korea at the U-18 Baseball World Cup, where he achieved a .286 batting average with five RBIs.

2017: Signing with the Atlanta Braves

In 2017, Ji-hwan Bae signed with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent, marking an early milestone in his baseball career.

March 27, 2018: Signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates

On March 27, 2018, Ji-hwan Bae signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a reported signing bonus of $1.25 million.

2019: Season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers

Ji-hwan Bae finished the 2019 season playing with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

2021: Assignment to Altoona Curve

In 2021, Ji-hwan Bae was assigned to the Altoona Curve, where he recorded a slash line of .278/.359/.413.

September 23, 2022: Major League Debut

On September 23, 2022, Ji-hwan Bae made his major league debut, starting at second base for the Pirates against the Chicago Cubs.

2022: MLB Debut

In 2022, Ji-hwan Bae made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut, a significant achievement in his professional career.

2022: Season with the Indianapolis Indians

In 2022, Ji-hwan Bae spent most of the season with the Indianapolis Indians, where he slashed .289/.362/.430.

April 4, 2023: First Major League Home Run

On April 4, 2023, Ji-hwan Bae hit his first major league home run.

May 2024: Return to MLB from Rehabilitation

In May 2024, Ji-hwan Bae was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis after a rehabilitation assignment, recording his first MLB hit and RBI of the 2024 season on May 21.