Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego Padres), who tied for the most consecutive hits by a Korean major leaguer, said, “I respect all Korean big leaguers,” and said, “I believed that if I worked hard, I could succeed.”스포츠토토

MLB.com focused on his recent performance on the 13th (Korean time), saying, “Ha-seong Kim has become one of the most valuable players in San Diego.

Kim Ha-seong started as a second baseman in the 2023 Major League (MLB) match against the Arizona Diamondbacks held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on the 12th and scored 2 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 RBI and 1 run.

With this, Ha-seong Kim had a 16-game hitting streak since the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 25th.

Shin-soo Choo (now SSG Landers) tied the record for most consecutive hits by a Korean big leaguer from July 3 to July 23, 2013 while playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

In an interview with MLB.com, Kim Ha-seong said, “I respect all players who have gone through the major leagues. I respect all Korean major leaguers who have played in the big leagues. I grew up watching them, and I wanted to be like them.”

Kim Ha-seong, who started his professional life at Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom) in 2014, threw a challenge to the MLB after standing tall as the best shortstop in the KBO League. After finishing the 2020 season, Kim Ha-seong, who knocked on the door of MLB through the posting system, signed a contract with San Diego and entered the dream stage.

Ha-seong Kim struggled a bit in his first year of MLB debut. In 117 games in 2021, he had a batting average of 0.202, 8 home runs and 34 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.622.

MLB.com said, “There is a lot to learn when you become a freshman in MLB. Ha-seong Kim got a lot of advice, but he needed to experience it himself.” It’s something I’m not used to,” he said.

Although he was disappointed, Ha-seong Kim believed that his efforts would not betray him.

Ha-seong Kim said, “I believed in myself. I like to believe in myself.”

This year, Kim Ha-seong was in full bloom. He had a batting average of 0.290, 15 homers, 42 RBIs, 27 stolen bases, and 64 points in 111 games until the 12th, with an OPS of 0.837.

MLB.com said, “The patience Kim Ha-seong shows at bat is one of his success factors this year. The rate of swinging at the ball out of the strike zone has fallen from 24.9% last year to 19.3% this year. 16th among filled players,” he said. “Kim Ha-seong is ranked within 15th in both on-base percentage (0.382) and batting average.”

In addition, “Kim Ha-seong is 5th overall with +8 in OAA (Outs Above Average) compared to second baseman average,” he added.

San Diego coach Bob Melvin praised Ha-seong Kim, saying, “Ha-seong Kim showed fantastic performances throughout the season. He is the most consistent player on our team.”

Kim Ha-seong doesn’t pay much attention to his streak.

Ha-seong Kim emphasized, “The streak, such as hits in consecutive games, will end someday. I try not to think about such records,” and “I just try to help the team win every day.”