“The value of Kim Ha Sung cannot be overstated” US local rave reviews explode, what would you have done if you weren’t in SD?
Kim ‘Awesome Kim’ Ha-seong (27, San Diego Padres) 토스카지노 has been receiving praise locally after he helped his team win a game by hitting his first career grand slam.
Kim started at second base and batted leadoff against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park in San Diego, California (U.S.) on 22 June (KST) and went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored. The team won 6-2, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Kim’s recent form has not been good. Consider the doubleheader against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 20th. In the first at-bat of game one of the doubleheader, Kim started the game on a high note, hitting his fifth major league leadoff home run. However, he didn’t produce a single hit until the end of the second game of the doubleheader, finishing 1-for-8.
After a day off on the 21st, Kim returned with a fearsome bat. His first grand slam in the big leagues was his 300th career hit. This puts him within striking distance of becoming the “first” Asian major league infielder to join the 20-homer, 20-double club.
Kim Ha-seong./Getty Images Korea
Kim Ha-sung./Getty Images Korea
Kim Ha-Sung./Getty Images Korea
Kim stole second in his first at-bat, advanced to third on a double steal and came home on a Manny Machado sacrifice fly to give his team the lead.
The highlight came in the second inning. Kim stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and lined a 96.6-mph (155.5-kilometre) three-pitch fastball from Miami starter Ryan Weathers. He knew it was a home run the moment he hit it. Kim’s pitch hit 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and travelled 359 feet (109.4 metres) before sailing just over the left field fence for his 300th big league hit, his first career grand slam. Kim’s home run sent Petco Park into a frenzy.
With this home run, Kim is now just three home runs shy of 20 home runs and 20 doubles. So far, only Shin-Soo Choo (SSG Rangers) and Shohei Oh (LA Angels) have joined the 20-20 club from Asia, making Kim the “first” infielder to reach 20-20.
His next two at-bats were inexplicably disallowed. But it’s no exaggeration to say that Kim was a one-man show that day.
Not surprisingly, praise followed. MLB.com wrote, “Kim’s value to San Diego in 2023 cannot be overstated. I shudder to think of a season without him.”
“He has a slash line of .280 with a .370 on-base percentage and a .449 slugging percentage this season. He has played outstanding defence at all three outfield spots (except first base). He is one of five National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidates and is a valuable player with the highest bWAR (wins above replacement) and fWAR (fangraphs) on the team.”
The praise continued. ”This year, Kim is a star in the making, having the best season ever for a San Diego second baseman,” the publication applauded.
With the win, the Padres improved to 60 wins (66 losses) on the season. They are fourth in the National League West and seventh in the wild card standings. In the wild-card race for a postseason berth, the Padres cut the gap to 5.5 games over the third-place San Francisco Giants (65-60) and kept their autumn baseball hopes alive.
Kim was at the centre of it all. MLB.com wrote, “San Diego still has a long way to go. They don’t have a lot of time. That’s why this week’s series against Miami is so important.” “When the team has needed a spark this year, it’s been Ha-Sung Kim who’s provided it,” he said.
Head coach Bob Melvin agreed. ”Sometimes we feel like we’ve fallen apart,” he said. But when you see Kim play, that’s not the case. He’s been a huge factor for us. There’s an energy that comes with him,” he said of Kim’s presence.
Kim Ha-sung./Getty Images Korea
Kim Ha-sung./Getty Images Korea
Kim Ha-sung./Getty Images Korea