San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong./Getty Images Korea
[마이데일리 = 박승환 기자] “Should we have considered the trade more seriously?”
Before the 2021 season, he was wearing the uniform of the San Diego Padres through a 4 + 1 year contract worth up to $ 39 million (about 53.1 billion won). In the first season of his debut, he appeared in 117 games as major league pitchers had a hard time adjusting to the fastball and the culture, and only recorded 54 hits, 8 home runs, 6 bases after u steal, batting average of 0.202, and OPS of 0.622. The results of the 2021 season were quite a shock, as he had recorded 30 home runs and 23 stolen bases in the KBO League just before joining the major league.
However, Ha-seong Kim quickly adjusted to the big league stage. When 2021 starting shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was sidelined due to wrist surgery and banned substance use, Ha-seong Kim was given that opportunity. Ha-seong Kim achieved remarkable growth at the plate with 130 hits, 11 home runs, 12 stolen bases, a batting average of 0.251, and an OPS of 0.708, and on defense, he was selected as an All-League finalist National Gold Glove Award for the shortlist.
At this time, Ha-seong Kim’s value increased. As San Diego acquired the biggest shortstop named Xander Bogaerts in the free agent market at the end of the 2022 season, and now has a total of three shortstop resources including Kim Ha-seong and Tatis Jr., trade inquiries began to pour in. inside. . It would not be an exaggeration to say that the winter of 2022-2023 has been heated due to the Kim Ha-seong trade rumors. However, San Diego did not use Ha-Seong Kim as a trading card, but instead decided to use all these resources by controlling traffic.
And Kim Ha-seong reached the peak of his career. Ha-seong Kim played in 152 games last year and recorded 140 hits, 17 home runs, 38 stolen bases, a batting average of 0.260, and an OPS of 0.749. Although his performance dropped significantly due to injuries and a poor performance at the end of the regular season, Ha-Seong Kim played a key role in San Diego’s batting lineup until the middle to late season. And this time, he was selected as a Gold Glove finalist at second base and utility, and won the Gold Glove in the utility role. He was the first Asian fielder in history.
San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong./Getty Images Korea San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong./Getty Images Korea
Accordingly, Ha-Seong Kim was at the center of trade rumors this winter, with Major League Trade Rumors (MLBTR), which primarily reports transfer news in the Premier League, reporting a total of 17 clubs are interested in signing Ha-Seong Kim . However, there has been no change in Kim Ha-seong’s position this year. Instead, Ha-seong Kim has returned to being a shortstop who can significantly increase his value before free agency, and local American media have poured predictions that Ha-seong Kim will be able to sign a huge contract worth more than $100 million if it comes to market.
However, Kim Ha-seong’s performance this season is a little disappointing. Ha-Seong Kim showed concern by making mistakes that had a fatal impact on the flow of the game due to the influence of the unfamiliar gloves Rawlings provided to the Gold Glove winners at the start of the season. Ha-Seong Kim explained that the increase in errors was not an immediate problem with the gloves, but after returning to the gloves he used before, Ha-Seong Kim’s errors did not increase, and he regained his defensive ability when he won the Golden Gloves Award last year.
But the bat is a little different. Ha-seong Kim had a poor start by failing to achieve success in the Seoul Series held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 20-21. After that, in the opening game against the San Francisco Giants in the US mainland, his batting skills seemed to have gradually revived as he swung a fire bat, but the bat went cold again. At least, he’s posting a .716 OPS based on his on-base percentage and slugging ability, but he hasn’t posted a .250 or higher batting average since posting a .273 batting average in the last game against San Francisco on the 1st
San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong./Getty Images Korea San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong./Getty Images Korea
Accordingly, America’s ‘The Athletic’ took the time to look at Ha-seong Kim’s performance so far. The media said, “After a sluggish start to the season, Kim Ha-seong’s defense has regained stability. The Gold Glove winner continues to perform as a plus runner. Replacement Contribution) of +4. “We maintain it, ” he said, pointing to Ha-seong Kim’s good performance this year in terms of defense and base running.However, Kim Ha-seong’s .260 batting average last year was believed to be due to a lot of luck.
Says ‘The Athletic Bubble’, “Ha-seong Kim has a batting average of 0.218 and a slugging percentage of 0.387. He is at the bottom of a lineup with shallow depth and a lack of consistent power.” statistics last year, he was a little lucky to have a batting average of 0.260 Of course, no one questions Ha-Seong Kim’s work style and presence in the clubhouse, but time will tell if San Diego should have considered trading Ha-Seong Kim . more serious in the short term.” he noted.
In the end, ‘The Athletic’ had no doubts about Kim Ha-seong’s ability as a runner and defender, but they still had doubts about his attack. To be honest, this is not just ‘The Athletics’ point of view. As free agency approaches, there is a need to show more consistent and solid performance on offense.
Reporter Park Seung-hwan absolute@mydaily.co.kr
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