Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego) is contributing to the team in several areas this season. His contribution to the team is on par with that of the prominent All-Star hitters representing San Diego. Since the star players were relatively disappointing compared to expectations, the contribution of Kim Ha-seong, who performed better than expected, seems to shine more.
It is literally an all-round play. He hits well, runs well, catches well. His priority offensive production has skyrocketed compared to the past two years. According to statistics from the statistics website ‘Fangraph’, Kim Ha-seong’s adjusted scoring production (wRC+) in 2021, his first season in the major leagues, was 72, a 28% drop from the league average. However, his offensive power improved last year, and this figure rose to 106, above the league average.
He got better this year. Although his numbers were lowered due to his sluggish performance since mid-August, he recorded a batting average of 0.265, on-base percentage of 0.356, 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 81 runs, 36 stolen bases, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.763 in 143 games of the season until the 18th (Korean time). . His wRC+ is 116. Considering the remaining games this season, he is expected to be able to finish the season comfortably with figures that are considerably higher than last year. Even considering he’s a center infielder, he’s excellent in the league.
There is nothing more to say about defense. He was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in the National League shortstop category last year. Although it did not win the award, it shows that both objective defensive indicators such as DRS (an indicator showing how many goals were prevented by defense) as well as the subjective judgments of field officials were all favorable. This year is a further upgrade. He skillfully played not only second base, but also shortstop and third base, becoming a pillar of San Diego’s infield.
Base running was added here. Ha-Seong Kim was able to successfully advance into the major leagues not only because he received good reviews for his various abilities, but also because he was a top runner in the major leagues. I remember that Kim Ha-seong’s athletic ability was very well received, regardless of whether he was successful or not. Ha-Seong Kim is proving this right this year. He succeeded in stealing a whopping 36 bases this year, including 6 in 2021 and 12 last year.
This year, checks were limited and the physical size of the base also increased. The prediction that it would become a world of runners who could run was exactly right, and Kim Ha-seong was a beneficiary of that. He succeeded in stealing 36 bases this year while failing only 8 times, maintaining a success rate of 81.8%. He was fifth in the National League in stolen bases and by far first on the team.
Ha-seong Kim’s ability to steal bases was one step closer to setting the club record for the first time in 10 years this year. This was true for the simple number of stolen bases he stole, as well as the record of more than two stolen bases in a game. Ha-seong Kim succeeded in stealing 36 bases this year, and there were five games in which he succeeded in stealing two or more bases in one game.
In the history of the San Diego team, the first player to steal more than 37 bases in a single season and steal more than two bases in a game more than five times must go back to 2013. Eves Cabrera is the main character. Cabrera, who made his major league debut in San Diego in 2009 and played in the major leagues until 2015, was a player who played shortstop for the team and sometimes played second and third base. His batting wasn’t that outstanding, but he had a great season and was selected as an All-Star in 2013.
Cabrera was a player with very quick feet. He had 25 stolen bases in 103 games in 2009, 44 stolen bases in 115 games in 2012, and 37 stolen bases in just 95 games in 2013. In 2012, he was also the National League stolen base leader.
If Ha-seong Kim adds just one more stolen base, he could approach Cabrera’s record set in 2013, but this too is under threat. Considering the number of games remaining, it seemed easily achievable. This is because the requirement for five games with two or more stolen bases in one game has already been met. However, there is concern as he missed the game against Oakland on the 18th due to sudden abdominal pain.메이저놀이터
Oakland coach Bob Melvin didn’t say anything to reporters who asked about the exact situation, saying, “I don’t know. I’m not sure. I heard this morning that he’s been in pain since last night.” This means that it is not clear whether it is muscle pain or an internal problem.
The fact that Kim Ha-seong, who is not a man of tricks, complained to the team of pain as soon as the sun came up suggests that the problem was not a very minor one. While it seems likely that he will be able to determine the exact situation by the 19th, it is also of interest whether he can complete the season without being on the injured list.