{
  "id": 15717519,
  "title": "Wiz slugger Hilliard voted KBO's top player for final month of reg. season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/wiz-slugger-hilliard-voted-kbos-top-player-for-final-month-of-reg",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T08:01:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261020009200315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sam Hilliard, an outfielder for KT Wiz, was recently named the top player in South Korean baseball for the final month of the regular season, according to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Hilliard secured this honor after being voted by both media and fans, with 11 out of 35 media votes and 271,145 out of 460,484 fan online votes, resulting in a total voting score of 45.16. The regular season concluded on October 12th, during which Hilliard demonstrated exceptional performance with 14 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 33 runs scored, all while maintaining a .697 slugging percentage. He led the KBO in home runs and RBIs, and finished second in runs scored. Hilliard's impressive play during the season led the Wiz to achieve the best record, with a 90-49-5 win-loss-tie tally. Notably, Hilliard emerged as the first foreign player to win the Player of the Month award twice in the same season since the award's establishment in 2010. As a result, he will receive a prize of 3 million won (US$2,260) and a trophy.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- KT Wiz outfielder Sam Hilliard was named South Korean...",
  "key_points": [
    "Sam Hilliard named KBO's top player for October",
    "Hilliard voted by media and fans for final month",
    "KT Wiz won best record with 90-49-5 win-loss-tie"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Hilliard’s historic recognition underscores the massive impact foreign talent can have on team success and individual accolades within the league's competitive landscape.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Wiz slugger Hilliard voted KBO's top player for final month of reg. season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/wiz-slugger-hilliard-voted-kbos-top-player-for-final-month-of-reg-15721549",
        "published": "2026-10-20T08:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}