In San Diego, Kim Ha-seong (27) is in a situation where he wanders around the infield whenever a big name comes. However, outside, Kim Ha-seong is a popular player who comes to mind at once when it comes to ‘reinforcing the main shortstop’. The time has come for San Diego to know its value.
American media Twins Daily said on the 13th (Korean time), “Ha-seong Kim, who had a breakout season in San Diego this year, can be a perfect alternative to Minnesota. said.
Minnesota’s main shortstop this season was Carlos Correa (28). He showed a decent performance with a batting average of 0.291, 22 home runs and 64 RBIs in 136 games, and an OPS of 0.834, but declared an opt-out and went to the free agency market. Jorge Polanco (29) is likely to replace Correa, but he has a defense more suited to a second baseman than a shortstop.
On the other hand, San Diego has a lot of shortstops with the addition of Xander Bogarts (30). At the same time, starting shortstop Kim Ha-seong is highly likely to change his position to second base, even though his defense has been recognized enough to make him one of the three finalists for the National League Gold Glove this year. Even though there are two main shortstops, Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) and Kim Ha-seong, they thought that their defense and offense were disappointing. 안전놀이터
Unlike San Diego, this media saw the positive side first. The Twins Daily said, “Like most Asian players, Ha-seong Kim struggled at first to adapt to the ball of the big league players. However, he got a big opportunity this year and gradually adjusted his swing. I spent the year avoiding swings chasing the ball and focusing on getting on base.”
He added, “The 12 stolen bases Kim Ha-seong has done are more than any other Minnesota player in the 2022 season. Also, considering the pitch clock rules that will change next year, his quick feet will be a necessary skill.”
I liked the terms of the contract with the remaining 2+1 years even more. The Twins Daily said, “Ha-sung Kim’s contract is perfect for Minnesota. It is a big question how long it will take for shortstop prospects Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee to establish themselves in the major leagues. In such a situation, Ha-seong Kim is tied up for at least two years, so it’s time for them to adapt. can earn,” he claimed.
“We always need an elite defense, and if Ha-sung Kim continues to improve, he could use it in the center line. To explain Ha-sung Kim’s clutch ability, he took on the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason, where Manny Machado and Juan Soto were quiet. He was the main player in winning an unexpected victory.”
There are not one or two teams that are putting their hopes on Kim Ha-seong, who is showing an ever-growing figure like this. This is why San Diego needs to know more about the value of “shortstop” Kim Ha-seong. Another media, The Athletic, picked Ha-seong Kim as one of the candidates for a starting shortstop that Boston, who lost Bogarts on the 9th, could recruit. Reporter Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register also mentioned Ha-sung Kim and Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox separately on the 12th, mentioning reinforcement of shortstops as the Los Angeles Angels’ goal this offseason.