American Major League (MLB) San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong스포츠토토 (28) had a batting average of 0.306 and 30 home runs in the 2020 KBO League before entering the big leagues He devastated the league with 23 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. However, in MLB, where all the world’s best pitchers are gathered, Kim Ha-seong’s hitting is disappointing. In the 2021 season, his first year of advancement, he was close to failing with a batting average of 0.202, 8 homers, 34 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Kim Ha-seong, who improved somewhat with a batting average of 0.251 last year, 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 12 steals in his second year, has grown to a level where he can expect to join the 20-20 club with a batting average of 0.262, 11 homers, 33 RBIs and 17 steals by the 18th of this season, his third year. did.
Ha-sung Kim’s true value is not in hitting, but in defense. He is showing himself that he can develop into a league-class player even with an ordinary hit. In WAR (contribution to victory versus substitute players), which has become a representative statistic that shows the value of a player in modern baseball, Kim Ha-seong is ranked 1st in the team as well as 5th in the major leagues with a baseball reference standard of 4.3 on the 18th.
The secret to Kim Ha-sung’s WAR being so high despite his mediocre batting record is his defense. Ha-seong Kim’s defensive WAR is 2.1, which is the top overall in the big leagues. Excluding Kim Ha-seong, there is no player who has exceeded 2 in defensive WAR. DRS (Defense Runs Saved), an indicator that shows how much runs are suppressed by the fielder’s defense, Kim Ha-seong also ranks first in the major leagues with 18 points. In other words, thanks to Ha-sung Kim, San Diego scored 18 fewer points.
He mainly plays as a second baseman (62 games), but depending on team circumstances, he also plays as a third baseman (18 games) and shortstop (13 games), but Kim Ha-seong’s defense does not cover his position. Attention is focused on whether or not to win the Golden Glove, which unfortunately failed to win last season. Kim Ha-seong was one of the three finalists for the Gold Glove Award for shortstop in the National League last season, but was beaten by Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs).
He is different this year. It is said that he should receive a Platinum Glove, given to one of the best defensemen in both leagues, as well as a Gold Glove at second base. The local media ‘East Times Village’ recently evaluated through an article, “Kim Ha-seong is running at a speed that can easily win the Gold Glove, and can compete for the Platinum Glove.”
