Ha-Sung Kim (28, San Diego Padres) has emerged as the San Diego Padres’ hope for a miracle fall run. While the Padres are loaded with high-priced superstars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto, Kim is the hottest hitter on the team right now.
As Sports Illustrated (SI) reported on May 25 (KST), “Kim has been the bright spot for San Diego in a dark situation this season. His growth this year has been quite impressive, and he’s helping the Padres stay in playoff contention.” The article highlighted Kim’s dazzling performance.
Despite having a number of star players, the Padres are in fourth place in the National League West with 61 wins and 67 losses. The Dodgers are seven games out of the wild-card spot and need to close the six-game gap to the third-place Arizona Diamondbacks in their remaining 34 games to make it to fall ball. Of course, they’ll have to beat the sixth-place Miami Marlins, fifth-place Cincinnati Reds, and fourth-place San Francisco Giants first.
While postseason hopes are fading, Kim has been “hard-carrying” for the team, having his best season in his third year in the majors. In his third year in the big leagues, Kim is batting .816 with 17 home runs, 49 RBIs, 28 doubles, 72 runs scored, and an OPS of .816 in 123 games, ranking first on the team in batting average, doubles, and runs scored, second in hits (118), second in slugging percentage (.368), and fourth in home runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage (.448). He has gone from a backup infielder to a leader of the San Diego offense in no time.
According to SI, “Kim is batting .288 with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs this year. In San Diego, where there are many star players, he is the centerpiece, not them.” “The importance of Kim to the Padres roster cannot be overstated. Against Miami (with the walk-off home run), he proved his value once again. Pitchers are always expressing their gratitude to him.” Kim’s changed status is evident.
San Diego needs a miracle to make it to fall ball. According to SI, Kim, who has become the leader of the batting order over the superstars, said, “The team is not in a very good situation right now, but we will never give up. San Diego has a strong spirit,” he said, rallying the players.안전놀이터
SI writes, “As San Diego’s hopes for fall baseball dwindle, Kim is taking a simple approach. San Diego is not giving up (as he says), and they want to right the wrongs and get back into contention. They will definitely get a chance to turn things around,” said SI, which is optimistic about San Diego’s postseason prospects with Kim.