Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres), who had been a backup for superstar infielders in his first year in the major leagues, took off as a leader leading the team’s offense after three seasons. The U.S. media, the San Diego coach, and colleagues are all suffering from ‘lower voice’ right now.
Ha-seong Kim started as a third baseman in the 2023 Major League Baseball home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks held on the 19th (hereinafter Korean time) at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, and scored 4 at-bats, 1 hit, 2 RBIs and 1 point, leading the team’s 4- 0 led to victory.
Kim Ha-seong, who went to base in the first inning when the score was 0-0 due to a throwing error by shortstop Geraldo Ferdomo, was out while attempting to steal second base in the follow-up Fernando Tatis Jr. at-bat. In the 4th inning, which was still 0-0, he took the lead and withdrew with a left fielder’s fly ball, and in the 6th inning, which was 0-0, with no runners in second, he swallowed regret with a shortstop’s fly ball.
The white rice was the last at-bat. In the 8th inning, with the score tied at 0-0, Gary Sanchez, the leader, reached base with a 4-pitch, and pinch hitter Ben Gamel hit base, while Trent Grisham calmly completed a sacrifice bunt and supported the two runners on base.스포츠토토
Kim Ha-seong, who appeared at 1st, 2nd and 3rd base, did not miss the chance. It was an unfavorable count of 0B-2S, but he had to hit Miguel Castro’s third pitch slider to connect with two RBIs and timely hits that pierced the forward defense. It was the moment that struck the final blow of the day. Ha-seong Kim later took responsibility for scoring during Tatis Jr.’s wedge two-run four.
The San Diego Union-Tribune, a local press in San Diego, USA, focused on Kim Ha-sung’s performance through an article titled ‘Kim Ha-seong Saved the Padres’ after the game.
The media said, “Kim Ha-seong has been active as the savior of the Padres this season. If the Padres do the impossible thing of clearing the gap in the wild card rankings by 5 games in the remaining 39 games and advancing to fall baseball, Ha-seong Kim will be considered the savior,” he praised Ha-seong Kim as the leader of the Padres batting line.
Kim Ha-seong hit the final stroke without losing concentration while being driven to a 0B-2S unfavorable count that day. The media said, “I think it would be good to give a lecture on how to hit after the 2nd strike. Other colleagues should learn this part,” he said, “Ha-sung Kim’s batting average after two strikes is 2.44, which is 6th overall in the National League.”
Then what is the secret? Ha-seong Kim said in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, “I made a terrible swing on a bad ball. So I made up my mind again and tried contacting him. In the end, contact was made, and good results came out.”
His teammates also applauded Kim Ha-sung’s dramatic final blow. “It’s amazing,” said San Diego superstar Tatis Jr. As Ha-seong Kim did throughout the year, he played an amazing role today,” he praised.