PHOENIX — Ha-Seong Kim spent his first two Main League seasons attempting to ascertain himself. That has been emphatically completed in 2023.
Kim has changed into one in every of San Diego’s most beneficial gamers. Within the Padres’ 10-5 victory over the D-backs on Friday evening at Chase Area, his enhancements paid off with a world distinction.
Kim completed 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run, extending his hitting streak to 16 video games. Not solely is that the longest energetic hitting streak within the Majors, but it surely’s tied with Shin-Soo Choo for the longest MLB hitting streak by a participant born in South Korea. (Choo’s streak got here in 2013 for the Reds.)
Kim stated he was honored to have the ability to have such a giant accomplishment, particularly with all of the Korean gamers he watched rising up.
“I simply respect all of them that performed by way of right here,” Kim stated by way of interpreter Leo Bae. “All of the Korean Main Leaguers that performed right here, I respect them. I watched them, and I wished to be like them.”
When Kim bought provided a contract from the Padres in December 2020, he noticed it as a life-changing alternative. Not solely was it a big contract that might assist his household again residence in South Korea, but it surely additionally meant he was going to play with the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.
Being a newcomer to the Majors got here with a number of studying. Loads of individuals provided Kim recommendation on find out how to navigate the MLB, however he knew to get a really feel, he wanted to expertise it firsthand.
Typically, he discovered himself watching from the dugout fairly than being a part of the motion, one thing he wasn’t accustomed to within the KBO. And when he bought an opportunity to see the sector, Kim wasn’t in a position to absolutely capitalize on these alternatives — he had a slash line of .235/.306/.372 in his first two seasons within the Majors.
As annoyed as he was, he knew needed to put within the work to see his outcomes blossom.
“It’s nearly believing in myself,” Kim stated. “I knew if I put my onerous work every single day and evening out and in, ultimately it was going to repay. I simply love trusting myself.”
Kim’s persistence on the plate is a vital consider his success this season. He lowered his chase share (% of the time he swings at pitches out of the zone) from 24.9% final 12 months to 19.3%, which has helped up his stroll share to 12.9%, which is tied for the Sixteenth-highest amongst certified hitters.
He ranks within the high 15 in each OBP (.382) and batting common (.290) amongst certified hitters.
Kim has offered a much-needed spark since transferring atop of the lineup. Amongst NL hitters with 30 video games began within the leadoff spot, Kim ranks first in OBP (.434), fourth in slugging (.535) and third in batting common (.327).
However it’s not simply his offense that has made him one of many Padres’ most beneficial gamers. He has excelled defensively, as his +8 outs above common at second base this season is fifth within the Majors. He additionally charges properly in baserunning metrics and has 27 stolen bases.
“It is nice,” Padres supervisor Bob Melvin stated. “… He is been implausible all the season, in all probability our most constant participant.”
As a lot as Kim is grateful for these accomplishments, he cares extra about with the ability to assist his crew, which occurred on Friday. The Padres snapped a four-game shedding streak and the offense broke out for 14 hits. The Padres defeated one of many golf equipment forward of them in Nationwide League Wild Card standings.
“Ultimately, [those streaks] are going to come back to an finish,” Kim stated. “I am not attempting to consider it an excessive amount of. I am attempting to assist the crew win the ballgame each evening.”