Infielder Kim Ha-sung (29), who was released as a free agent by the San Diego Padres, received favorable reviews. Despite the risk of shoulder surgery, his performance over the past four years is highly praised.
The San Diego club said on the 3rd (Korea time) that Kim Ha-sung rejected the $8 million mutual option next year and became an FA. Kim Ha-sung, who signed a four-plus-one-year guarantee of $28 million and up to $39 million with San Diego in January 2021, made the $8 million contract in 2025 a mutual option that runs with the consent of both the club and the player.
San Diego wanted to continue accompanying Kim, but Kim gave up his guaranteed salary of 8 million U.S. dollars and became a free agent. The actual amount that Kim gave up while receiving a buyout of 2 million dollars was 6 million dollars. He is confident that he will win more than enough contracts in the free agent market.
Kim Ha-sung, who injured his right shoulder while returning to first base against the Colorado Rockies on August 19, tried to return within the season, but it failed. He underwent a suture surgery for a partial rupture of the right shoulder joint on the 11th of last month. He is aiming to return to the FA market from April to May next year, which is a risk in the FA market. However, there is a positive outlook on Kim Ha-sung, who has joined hands with “super agent” Scott Boras.
The broadcast channel “MLB Network,” run by the Major League Baseball Secretariat, also covered Kim Ha-sung’s FA on the 3rd. Anthony Lecker, a former catcher with a seven-season career in the Major League, appeared on the panel and praised Kim Ha-sung.
Lecker said, “Kim Ha-sung’s defense is elite. He is a shortstop with excellent athletic ability and has a wide range of defense. He is an elite shortstop, but he can play second and third bases. He may be able to play in the outfield. He also has good throwing speed because he has arm strength that can handle a hit anywhere. He has the ability to change the game.”
“Kim Ha-sung has many diverse aspects, and speed is one of them,” Lecker said. “He stole 38 bases in 2023 and caused damage to the opponent team. He is the type of player who can steal 40 bases and has great strength in offense. He can hit the ball and make in-play hits as well. He has improved remarkably over the years over the first three years, including showing off his slugging capability,” Lecker said, stressing that he has been a steady star player. 메이저사이트
“If you’ve been to San Diego, you’ll see how much your fans like him,” Lecker continued. “It’s not going to be a 10-year contract. It might not be a big deal, but he can make a big impact when he comes into the team. He can make a team win in many ways. I see that as a positive point. He may lack a little bit of offense, but he has exceeded the league average over the past few years in every aspect. He expects a good contract.”
Since his debut in 2021, Kim has posted a .326 slugging percentage of .326 OPS.706 with a batting average of .26 (140 hits in 540 games) with a batting average of .242 (418 hits in 1725 at-bats) and 47 homers and 200 RBIs and 229 runs and 206 walks, 372 strikeouts and 78 steals. He was the backup in his first year, but after establishing himself as the starting shortstop in 2022, he had his best season with a batting average of .26 (140 hits in 538 at-bats) with 17 homers, 60 RBIs and 38 steals in 152 games in 2023 OPS. He was recognized for his defensive ability by being the first Asian infielder to win the Gold Glove (NL Utility).
After returning to shortstop from second base, he had a batting average of .233 (94 hits in 403 times at bat) in 121 games and posted an OPS of .700 with 11 homers, 47 RBIs and 22 steals. Although his performance was lower than last year, he was tied for 12th in OAA (+4) among 40 shortstop players, showing better-than-average defense capability. As the utility ability to cover not only shortstop but also second and third bases has been confirmed, teams that need to strengthen infield should be interested in Kim Ha-sung. Except for Willy Adames, a slugger who hit 32 home runs this year, there is no notable shortstop FA, which is another factor that increases Kim Ha-sung’s market value.
