‘Preliminary free agent’ Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres infielder) has risen vertically in value.
MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, released the list of the 100 best players in Major League Baseball on July 7 (KST). Kim Ha-seong, who did not make the top 100 last year, was ranked 88th.
In his first year in the big leagues, Kim played in 117 games in 2021, batting just 2-for-54 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 runs scored and six stolen bases. There was no sophomore jinx for Kim. In 150 games in 2022, he batted .517 with 130 hits, two doubles, 11 home runs, 바카라사이트 59 RBIs, 58 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. He reached double-digit home runs and stolen bases for the first time since his rookie year, showing a step-change in his game.
He completed a career-high season last year.
In 152 games, Kim batted .538 (140-for-538) with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 84 runs scored and 38 stolen bases, setting career highs in every offensive category: batting average, hits, home runs, RBIs, runs scored and stolen bases.
After being a finalist for the National League Shortstop of the Year award in 2022, Kim finally won the honor last year. He became the first Korean player to win a Major League Baseball Gold Glove and the second Asian player to do so, joining Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro was an outfielder who won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves from 2001-2010 with the Seattle Mariners. Kim made history as the first Asian infielder to win the award.
Meanwhile,
US sports media ‘The Athletic’ reported on the 5th that “San Diego is showing significant interest in trading Kim Ha-seong. He will be a free agent after this season, but he will be expensive to acquire as he was one of the Padres’ best players in 2023.”
The Score released its preliminary top 20 free agent rankings, looking ahead to the Major League Baseball free agency market after this season. Kim was ranked No. 15.
“There is a mutual option for 2025, but neither side is likely to exercise it, so Kim will hit the free agent market next winter,” the publication wrote, calling him “an intriguing option in the infield with an unspectacular but solid bat, excellent on-base percentage, 토토사이트 순위 and dazzling defense at all three infield positions.”
“Being younger than other free agent infielders will also work in his favor,” The Score added.