Kim Ha-seong, who plays for the MLB San Diego Padres, is on base after hitting a hit in the top of the fourth inning in an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox held in Glendale, Arizona, USA on the 29th. / Yonhap News Reuters
Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego Padres) has been hitting every day in MLB (American Professional Baseball) exhibition games. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26), a candidate for the first pick of the LA Dodgers, who will play the official two-game series opener against San Diego at Gocheok Dome in Seoul next month, made his first greeting to the fans with a flashy pitch also.
◇ Kim Ha-seong shows signs of a big contract next year
Kim Ha-seong, San Diego’s starting shortstop in the 2024 season, started as the 5th hitter in the game against the Chicago White Sox held in Glendale, Arizona, USA on the 29th and recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats. In the top of the 4th inning, which was his second at-bat, with one out, he targeted the opponent’s third pitcher, Brian Shaw (37), who scored a heavy hit. San Diego won 3-1. Ha-Seong Kim appeared in 4 of the 7 games the team played in this exhibition game and recorded one hit each. His batting average is 0.571, the highest on the team. He takes part in exhibition games every two days and takes care of his body. In spring camp, they train with superstars who have long-term contracts (11 to 14 years) worth about $300 million (about 400.1 billion won), including Manny Machado (32), Fernando Tatis Jr. (25), and Sander Boharz (32).
Ha-Seong Kim was recognized for his defensive skills by winning the National League Gold Glove Award in the utility category last year. This year ($8 million annual salary, about 10.7 billion earned) is the final season of the four-year contract ($28 million, about 37.3 billion earned). He is expected to negotiate a new contract with the club next year instead of choosing the option to extend his contract by one year ($10 million, about 13.3 billion won). The Athletic, a US sports media outlet, recently predicted, “If the Padres sign a contract extension with Ha-seong Kim, the seven-year total will be between $130 million (about 173.4 billion won) to $150 million (about 200 billion won).” .
On the 29th, the Padres officially announced, “Ha-seong Kim and Woo-seok Ko are going to Korea (where the official opening game will be held).” Pitcher Go Woo-seok, who signed a contract with the Padres last month (up to $9.4 million over three years, about 12.5 billion earned), is expected to make his debut against the Oakland Athletics on the 1st (5: 05 am Korea time).
Graphics = Chosun Design Lab Yujin Han
◇ Yamamoto fulfilled expectations of being the ‘biggest pitter’
The LA Dodgers faced the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium in Arizona on the 29th and lost 4 to 6. Japanese Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26), who started as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, pitched two scoreless innings against the Series champion Rangers World last year. He faced 6 batters and gave up 1 hit, but prevented runs from being allowed with 3 strikeouts, an outside fly ball, and a double play. 16 out of 19 balls were hits. All 11 fastballs exceeded 150 km/h reaching a top speed of 154.5 km/h. Yamamoto signed a 12-year contract with the Dodgers worth up to $325 million (about 433.5 billion won) in December last year. The total is the highest among all pitchers. Yamamoto, who stood on the mound for the first time in a Dodgers uniform, struck out Marcus Simeon (34), last year’s American League All-Star, on a missed swing in the first inning. After getting a hit by Evan Carter (22), the inning ended by inducing a double play by Wyatt Langford (23). Yamamoto struck out two in the second inning and pitched a three-way outing. MLB.com said, “Yamamoto’s brilliant spring debut was close to perfection. “He lived up to expectations for the most expensive pitcher in history,” he said.
#Kim #Haseongs #batting #average #hitting #sensation #hot
