The Emergence of Ha-seong Kim as a Leader for San Diego Padres
Written by OSEN | 2023.08.26 05:35
Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego Padres) is quickly becoming the catalyst for a potential baseball breakthrough for the San Diego Padres. Despite the presence of high-salaried stars such as Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto, it is Kim Ha-seong who currently stands out as the Padres’ hottest hitter.
In a recent article by the American media outlet ‘Sports Illustrated (SI)’, Kim Ha-seong was described as the brightest spot in San Diego, which is currently struggling. The article highlighted his impressive growth this season and his crucial contributions in helping San Diego stay in the playoff race.
Despite the Padres boasting a roster filled with star players, they find themselves in 4th place in the National League Western Division with a record of 61 wins and 67 losses. The wild card positions are also slipping away, with the team currently in 7th place. In order to have any chance of making it to the postseason, they must make up the 6-game gap with the 3rd place Arizona Diamondbacks in the remaining 34 games. The first step towards achieving this is to overcome the challenges posed by the 6th place Miami Marlins, 5th place Cincinnati Reds, and 4th place San Francisco Giants.
Kim Ha-seong, despite their fading postseason hopes, is enjoying his best season in the major leagues three years after his debut. He has emerged as the team’s key player, displaying an impressive batting average of .280 with 17 home runs, 49 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, and 72 runs in 123 games, resulting in an OPS of .816. He currently ranks second and fourth in home runs, runs batted in, and slugging percentage (.448), respectively. From a backup infielder, he has swiftly risen to become the offensive leader of the San Diego Padres.
According to the report by SI, “Kim Ha-seong’s batting average stands at an impressive .280 this year, with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs. In a team filled with star players, it is Kim Ha-seong who holds the center stage, not them. This was evident once again in the game against Miami, where his grand slam showcased his value. Pitchers are grateful to have Ha-seong Kim on their team, recognizing his changing status.”
San Diego’s hopes of making it to the fall baseball seem bleak, yet Kim Ha-seong, who has surpassed his fellow stars to become the overall batting line leader, remains hopeful. He stated, “Although the team is currently not in a favorable position, we will never give up. San Diego possesses a resilient spirit,” effectively uniting the players.
Despite the dwindling hopes of making it to the fall baseball, Kim Ha-seong, through his simplified approach, is igniting a sense of determination in the San Diego Padres. As the team aims to rectify its current standing and rekindle the competition, there is optimism that they can turn the situation around, largely attributed to the leadership of Kim Ha-seong.
Source: /backlight@osen.co.kr
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Provided by OSEN | 2023.08.26 05:35
[OSEN=이후광 기자] Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego Padres) is emerging as a prospect to lead the San Diego Padres to a miracle baseball breakthrough. There are many stars with high salaries like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto, but Kim Ha-seong is the hottest hitter in the Padres right now.
The American media ‘Sports Illustrated (SI)’ said on the 25th (Korea time), “Ha-seong Kim is the brightest spot in San Diego, which is in a dark situation this season. His growth this year is quite impressive, and he is helping San Diego survive in the playoff race,” he said, highlighting Kim Ha-sung’s great performance.
San Diego, a member of the National League Western Division, remains in 4th place with a record of 61 wins and 67 losses despite having many star players. The wild card positions are also down to 7th, so in order to advance to fall baseball, they have to limit the 6 game lead against the 3rd place Arizona Diamondbacks in the remaining 34 games. Of course, the first step is to beat the 6th place Miami Marlins, 5th place Cincinnati Reds, and 4th place San Francisco Giants.
Postseason hopes are fading, but Kim Ha-seong is having the best season in the major leagues three years after his debut, so-called ‘carrying hard’ the team. Kim Ha-seong’s third year in the big leagues was a 2.8% batting average, 17 homers, 49 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, and 72 runs in 123 games, an OPS of .816. He ranks 2nd and 4th in home runs, runs batted in, and slugging percentage (.448). From a backup infielder, he quickly rose to become the leader of San Diego’s offense.
SI reported, “Kim Ha-seong has a 2.8 percent batting average this year with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. In San Diego, where many star players gather, the player holding the center is Kim Ha-seong, not them. His value was proven once again in the game against Miami (his grand slam). Pitchers always express their gratitude towards Ha-seong Kim,” he said, realizing Ha-sung Kim’s changing status.
San Diego needs a miracle to advance baseball’s fall. According to SI, Kim Ha-seong, who beat the stars and became the batting line leader, said, “The current team is not in a very good position, but we will never give up. San Diego has a strong spirit,” he said, uniting the players.
SI reported, “While San Diego’s fall baseball hopes are dwindling, Ha-seong Kim is somewhat simplifying his approach. San Diego is not giving up (as Kim Ha-sung said), they want to right the wrong and get back into the competition. Obviously, they will have a chance to turn the situation around,” he said, fueling the hope that San Diego will advance to the postseason, led by Kim Ha-seong.
/backlight@osen.co.kr
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