‘Stock price rise → 6th place in preliminary FA rankings’ Kim Ha-seong leaves country on the 20th... ‘See you at the Seoul Series’

‘Awesome Kim’ Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres), who has shown a steady upward curve for the past three years since entering the big league, is leaving for the United States to prepare for the 2024 season. Ha-seong Kim's domestic agency 'Summit Management' announced on the 17th, "Ha-seong Kim will leave the country through Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 20th." Ha-seong Kim, who stayed in Korea for about three months after returning to Korea on October 11 last year, adjusts his condition through personal training after arriving in the United States, as he did last year. He plans to complete his spring training schedule after joining the team. Ha-seong Kim has proven his ability through the KBO League and the international stage since the mid-2010s, and signed a 4+1 year contract with San Diego for a total of $39 million ($28 million guaranteed for 4 years) ahead of the 2021 season, joining the Major League of American Professional Baseball. Entered (MLB). His process was not smooth. Ha-seong Kim suffered from a slump in 2021, his first year in the big league, with 54 hits in 267 at-bats in 117 games, a batting average of 0.202, 8 home runs, 34 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.622. In 2022, he recorded his first double-digit home runs and stolen bases in his debut with 150 games, 517 at-bats, 130 hits, a batting average of 0.251, 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.708. Although he improved his performance compared to the previous year, he was not satisfied. Two years passed, and Kim Ha-seong, who had completed his adaptation to the big league, finally showed his true worth. In the 2023 season, he recorded 140 hits in 538 at-bats in 152 games, a batting average of 0.260, 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.749, achieving a 'career high' with double-digit home runs and stolen bases for two consecutive years. In particular, what made Ha-seong Kim's presence stand out was his defense. He perfectly played his main position, second base (106 games, 856⅔ innings), as well as third base (32 games, 253⅓ innings) and shortstop (20 games, 153⅓ innings). He captured the attention of fans by showing off his wide defensive range and stable catching ability. In a survey conducted on managers, scouts, and officials by the American baseball magazine 'Baseball America (BA)' in September last year, he was ranked as the best second baseman in the National League in defense, ahead of Nico Horner (Chicago Cubs) and Aji Albis (Atlanta Braves). Ranked first in the category. It had greater significance in that the Major League's 'expert group' recognized the player's potential and ability. Thanks to this, Ha-seong Kim, who was nominated for the Gold Glove National League second baseman and utility category, became the winner of the utility category, beating Mookie Betts (LA Dodgers) and Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals). He was the first infielder from Asia to win a Gold Glove. Kim Ha-seong, who attended the domestic press conference after winning the Gold Glove, said, "I was sleeping at home, and my phone vibrated so much that I woke up and heard that I had won the award. I confirmed it on video. I think my heart would have been pounding a lot if I had seen it (in real time). "I guess I was very nervous because I didn't get the second base award. I think I was good at sleeping," he said. "I was confident in my defense even in my first season. I thought my arm was a little good, so I was confident that I could get the ball out if I caught it. Thanks to my defensive indicators. “It got even better,” he said, expressing satisfaction. https://www.totositerank.com