1. Overview
Kyle Patrick Hart, born on November 23, 1992, is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is a left-handed pitcher and batter, standing 6 ft 5 in tall and weighing 170 lb (170 lb). Hart has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox and notably had a significant tenure in the KBO League with the NC Dinos.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Hart's early life and amateur career were marked by his development through high school and college baseball, during which he also overcame a significant injury.
2.1. Birth and Education
Kyle Hart was born on November 23, 1992, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. He graduated from Sycamore High School in Cincinnati. Following his high school career, he attended Indiana University, where he played college baseball for the Indiana Hoosiers for five seasons, from 2012 to 2016.
2.2. College Injury
During his junior year at Indiana University in 2014, Hart underwent Tommy John surgery. This surgical procedure is common among baseball pitchers to repair or replace the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, and typically requires a lengthy rehabilitation period.
3. Professional Career (United States)
Hart began his professional baseball journey in the United States, progressing through various minor league levels and making his MLB debut before moving to international leagues.
3.1. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox selected Hart in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, as the 568th overall pick. After signing, he began his professional career with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox. In 2017, he played for the Greenville Drive (Class A) and the Salem Red Sox (Class A-Advanced), compiling a combined 6-5 record with a 2.15 ERA and 109 strikeouts over 117 innings pitched in 22 games (19 starts).
In 2018, Hart spent the entire season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, where he made 24 starts, achieving a 7-9 record with a 3.57 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 138 and two-thirds innings. The following year, 2019, he started the season with Portland before being promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in late May. Across both levels, he recorded 12 wins and 13 losses with a 3.52 ERA, striking out 140 batters over 156 innings pitched in 27 games (24 starts). Following the 2019 season, the Red Sox added Hart to their 40-man roster.
In 2020, Hart was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on March 8. Due to the delayed start of the MLB season, he was named the starting pitcher for the Red Sox's game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 13, marking his MLB debut. In that game, Hart allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in two innings, taking the loss. He was placed on the injured list on September 2 due to a left hip impingement, and moved to the 45-day injured list on September 15. During the 2020 Red Sox campaign, Hart made four appearances (three starts) in MLB, posting an 0-1 record with a 15.55 ERA over 11 innings pitched and 13 strikeouts. On November 20, 2020, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A.
Hart spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. In 23 games (20 starts), he compiled a 6-9 record with a 4.22 ERA, striking out 90 batters in 106 and two-thirds innings. He began the 2022 season with Worcester before being assigned back to Portland on May 16. In 24 appearances split between Worcester and Portland in 2022, he accumulated a 7-3 record with a 5.25 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 82.1 innings pitched. Following the season, on November 10, Hart elected free agency.
3.2. Philadelphia Phillies
On February 7, 2023, Hart signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He made one appearance for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, where he struck out one batter in a scoreless inning of work. He was released by the Phillies on April 19, 2023.
3.3. Seattle Mariners
On June 3, 2023, Hart signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he made 18 starts, recording a 4-6 record with a 4.58 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 88 and one-third innings pitched. Hart elected free agency again following the season on November 6, 2023.
4. Professional Career (KBO League)
Hart's tenure in the KBO League proved to be a significant chapter in his career, marked by impressive performance and notable achievements.
4.1. NC Dinos
Hart signed a one-year contract with the NC Dinos of the KBO League on December 19, 2023. The deal was valued at a total of 900.00 K USD, which included a 200.00 K USD signing bonus, a 500.00 K USD annual salary, and potential incentives worth up to 200.00 K USD.
4.1.1. Contract and Season Performance
Hart debuted for the NC Dinos as their starting pitcher on March 23, 2024, against the Doosan Bears. In that game, he pitched 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs, though he recorded no decision. Throughout July 2024, Hart was particularly dominant, making 5 appearances where he pitched 33 innings, allowed only 16 hits and 2 earned runs, while striking out 39 batters, securing 3 wins. His performance earned him the Pitcher MVP award for the month of July within the team.
Towards the end of the 2024 season, Hart aimed to achieve the rare feat of a "4-crown" (leading the league in four major pitching categories), but this aspiration fell short in a September 25 game against the SSG Landers, where he allowed 6 earned runs in 6 innings despite striking out 10. By the end of the 2024 KBO season, Hart had made 26 appearances, all of them starts. He pitched 157 innings, compiled a 13-3 record, and posted a 2.69 ERA. He recorded 182 strikeouts, walked 38 batters, and allowed 11 home runs. He finished the season ranked 3rd in wins, 1st in strikeouts, and 2nd in ERA across the KBO League, establishing himself as the NC Dinos' ace pitcher.
4.1.2. Major Awards and Records
Following his impactful 2024 KBO season, Kyle Hart was recognized with the prestigious Choi Dong-won Award, which is considered the KBO League's equivalent to the Cy Young Award in MLB, honoring the league's top pitcher. During this season, he also set a new KBO single-season strikeout record, tallying an impressive 182 strikeouts. After the season concluded, he became a free agent, expressing his intent to pursue a return to MLB.
5. Current Team
Following his successful KBO League season, Kyle Hart secured a return to Major League Baseball.
5.1. San Diego Padres
On February 13, 2025, Kyle Hart signed a one-year, major league contract with the San Diego Padres. The contract also includes a club option for the 2026 season, providing the Padres with flexibility regarding his future tenure with the team.
6. Career Statistics
Kyle Hart's professional career statistics demonstrate his progression and performance across both Major League Baseball and the KBO League.
6.1. Yearly Pitching Statistics
| Year | Team | G | GS | W | L | ERA | IP | BF | H | HR | BB | HBP | SO | R | ER | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | BOS | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 15.55 | 11.0 | 67 | 24 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 21 | 19 | 3.09 |
| 2024 | NC | 26 | 26 | 13 | 3 | 2.69 | 157.0 | 631 | 124 | 11 | 38 | 11 | 182 | 51 | 47 | 1.03 |
- Bold denotes league leader.
7. Trivia
Kyle Hart is known for his unique habit of meticulously taking notes on a notepad while sitting in the dugout during games. He explained that this practice is a recent development, driven by a belief that "I felt I needed to study to survive." During moments of downtime, he uses the notepad to review his own pitches and record the reactions of opposing batters. He emphasized his commitment to this diligent note-taking, especially in the KBO League, noting that he still lacks extensive information on KBO hitters and strives to be as thorough as possible.