This season, Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) is proving his undervalued value. He has proven not only to have a good reputation for defense, but also to long hits and base running tools, and the possibility of a large, long-term contract is rising.

Ha-seong Kim started as the number one hitter and second baseman in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) away game against the Houston Astros held at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, USA on the 9th (Korean time), going 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 walk, and 2 RBIs. Scored 2 points and 3 steals.

Kim Ha-seong, who restarted the hitting factory in four days and raised his season batting average from 0.271 to 0.273, showed off his quick feet by stealing bases as many as three times. Now, 20 home runs and 40 stolen bases are getting closer to reality.

Still underrated, complete with defense, shoulder hitting, long hits, and base running tools… a ‘5-tool player’ who lacks nothing.
In the second inning, with the team leading 2-1 with two outs and bases on second and third, he hit a timely hit with two RBIs to right field after a seven-pitch match with opposing starter Hunter Brown, bringing in two runners. Kim Ha-seong, who started as the leadoff hitter in the first inning and got on base with a walk, succeeded in stealing his 32nd base of the season. He complained of abdominal pain during the sliding process, but ran and jumped again without fear.

Ha-seong Kim placed one hand on Jose Urquidi’s poor changeup in the top of the 7th inning and scored a hit to left with a technical strike that matched the timing. Although he showed pain earlier, Ha-seong Kim’s base-running instinct did not stop. With a bold start, he succeeded in stealing his second base of the day, and then succeeded in a double steal with Juan Soto, who walked. It was a steal that was so perfect that opposing catcher Martin Maldonado gave up on the throw.

Three stolen bases in one game is tied for the most ever by a Korean major leaguer. The previous record was first achieved by Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh) on April 27th, and Kim Ha-seong also stood shoulder to shoulder with him against Seattle on the 10th of last month. This time, he became the third Korean to set the record.

There appears to be no shortage. The hitting department, which was pointed out as a weakness, is also showing remarkable growth this season. In particular, he is benefiting greatly from the revised regulations this season and is becoming one of the leading players in the big league. He added 3 stolen bases on this day and ranks 8th in the big league overall and 5th in the National League (NL) in this category with 34. Based on his base running play, he ranks second on the team in scoring (79 points).

The long-hitting tool has also improved significantly. Kim Ha-seong, who has hit 17 home runs and boasts a slugging percentage of 0.422, is ranked 4th on the team in this category with 57 RBIs, tied for 5th in home runs, and 4th in slugging percentage, despite being the number one hitter.

In Asian history, there has never been a single infielder who has achieved 20-20, but Ha-seong Kim is exceeding 20-30 and raising the possibility of 20-40. This is a sufficiently feasible figure. Across all positions, it is a record that only two people, Shohei Otani (LAA) and Shin-Soo Choo (SSG Landers), have achieved, and it is a record that has a very symbolic meaning in that they have also never achieved 20-30.안전놀이터

The possibility of a long-term contract is increasing. Will Ryu Hyun-jin follow in the footsteps of ‘100 billion contract’ and become a KBO graduate?
Kim Ha-seong, who was evaluated by the American media ESPN the previous day as “possessing fantastic value. Even including both outfielders and pitchers, he can finish the season as one of the 20 options,” was once again highlighted by the same media on this day.

On this day, ESPN asked, ‘Which team has the most talented players? An article titled ‘Ranking of 30 Major MLB Teams’ was published. San Diego ranked 11th among them, and Kim Ha-seong’s name was not left out.

San Diego recently invested a huge amount of money to capture Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, and Yu Darvish. The two days were comprised of elite or above average players.

Unlike them, Ha-seong Kim was classified as ‘talent locked in’. He is already under contract until 2025, so he is held to the same standard as Soto. The two will be eligible to become free agents after next season. Ha-seong Kim’s contract includes a mutual option clause for 2025, but it is true that it is unlikely that Ha-seong Kim will agree to this in a situation where the value is soaring.

The media said, ‘Soto and Kim Ha-seong, who are leaders in win contribution (WAR) compared to replacement players in this year’s team, cannot be discussed in this topic. “Because both of them will become free agents after next season,” he said. “Of course, it is a good bet to renew the contract with Ha-Sung Kim.” The nuance

is that signing a long-term contract can help the team. San Diego is likely to want to keep Ha-Sung Kim more than anyone else. Ha-Seong Kim, who rebounded this season and raised his presence, has far greater value compared to competitors in the same position.

Among NL second basemen, Ha-Seong Kim was above average in batting ability. Ha-Seong Kim walked even among his league competitors. Ranked 1st, 2nd in stolen bases, 2nd in on-base percentage, 4th in home runs, 5th in OPS, and 6th in batting average. WAR 4.4, which most intuitively shows a player’s value, is Mookie Betts (LA Dodgers, 7.9) and Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers) ·5.1) Next, he is ranked 3rd overall in the big leagues.

Following Ryu Hyun-jin, who moved to Toronto and signed a 4-year contract worth $80 million (106.9 billion won), Kim Ha-seong is a player from the KBO League who has established himself as a strong player who can make a huge splash. There is also a growing possibility that he will receive a long-term contract offer from San Diego, which is trying to tie down Kim Ha-seong, who has emerged as the team’s treasure this season, after free agency next year or before that.