Seoul: After spending most of the past five seasons in Triple-A and not enough time in the majors, Trenton Brooks decided it was time for a change. And that desire for a change of scenery landed him in South Korea, where he will be playing for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on US$700,000. He can make another $150,000 in incentives.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Brooks expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his career during a conversation before a preseason game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. "Truly, I wanted to try something different," Brooks revealed. "I've been in Triple-A for five years and I've gone up and down (between the minors and the majors) for two years. I was excited for a different experience." His major league debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2024 saw him play only 12 games, and after signing with the San Diego Padres, he logged 25 games in 2025. Over those 37 career games, Brooks managed one homer, three RBIs, and 19 strikeouts in 72 at-bats, with a batting line that hinted at struggles in the majors.
In contrast, Brooks excelled in Triple-A, boasting a .275/.388/.491 line with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs in 90 games for the Padres last year. The previous year, within the Giants system, he hit .302/.410/.453, with 10 homers and 58 RBIs in 94 games. This performance cemented his status as a "Quadruple-A" player-too accomplished for Triple-A but facing challenges in the majors. KBO teams have historically recruited such players, and Brooks hopes to make a significant impact with the Heroes.
With the KBO preseason concluding and the regular season on the horizon, Brooks is eager to contribute to the Heroes' quest for improvement following three difficult seasons. "Games mean something, right? And the whole purpose of being out on the field for that specific day is to win the ball game," Brooks stated. "That's always fun when your whole team is pulling together and trying to win."
The Heroes have recognized Brooks' versatility, as he can play first base and all three outfield positions, roles he undertook in the minors. They describe him as a hitter with commendable plate discipline and gap power. During spring training, Brooks showcased these attributes, hitting .306 in 12 preseason games and achieving an on-base percentage of .432, though he only managed three extra-base hits, all doubles.
Brooks is optimistic that his power will increase as he acclimates to KBO pitching. During his time with the Padres' Triple-A club, he played alongside former KBO players and had insightful conversations with others, though he acknowledges that no one could fully prepare him for the unique pitching style in the KBO, particularly the prevalence of splitters and forkballs. "All the splitters and forkballs," Brooks remarked with a grin, "Oh my gosh, you don't have this many of these in the United States, not quite. Hopefully, I don't get one too hard (in the regular season)."