Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego) has changed. He went through a period of adaptation in his first season, and if he increased his value as a luxury defenseman last year, he is now showing off his long hitting power and increasing his value vertically.

Ha-seong Kim started as the ninth batter and second baseman in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) home game against Arizona held at Petco Park in San Diego, California on the 4th (Korean time), following David Dahl at the end of the ninth when the team was pulled 3-4. He hit a back-to-back home run and gave the team a 5-4 victory.

It is the first time in the 55-year history that San Diego’s 8th메이저놀이터 and 9th batters finished the game back-to-back in the 9th inning. The hot reaction towards Kim Ha-seong continues.

Immediately after the game, MLB.com, the official MLB homepage, placed Kim Ha-sung’s ending home run scene in the main, saying, “San Diego met Arizona and wrote a new history with the 8th and 9th batter’s back-to-back home run.” did,” he said. The San Diego club also uploaded a video of Ha-sung Kim’s home run on social media and couldn’t hide its joy, saying, “How can I not love Ha-sung Kim?”

The value of Kim Ha-sung is soaring. Kim Ha-seong, who proved his great utility in defense in the first season of 2021, but left some regret with a batting average of 0.202, 8 home runs, 34 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base rate + slugging percentage) of 0.622. In addition, his outstanding defense made him one of three finalists for the National League (NL) Gold Glove.

With a proven defense, this time it is increasing its value in hitting. Ha-seong Kim, who reported a hit from the opening game, played a three-hit game the next day. Two doubles came out. Kim Ha-seong, who had to take a break the next day despite a hard hit, was silent with two at-bats, no hits, and one walk against Colorado on the 3rd, but he showed off his ‘crazy presence’ with a home run that day.

He is recording a season batting average of 0.385 (5 hits in 13 at-bats), an on-base percentage of 0.429, a slugging percentage of 0.769, and an OPS of 1.198. He is showing the greatest destructive power in the team behind Zander Bogatz (OPS 1.318).

Sports Kidda, a global sports media, focused on Kim Ha-seong. He posted an article titled “When will the contract of a shortstop in Korea expire with San Diego?” and introduced Ha-sung Kim’s rising value. The media explained Ha-seong Kim’s history of playing in Korea, his career after joining San Diego, and the size of the contract.

According to Sportskida, Kim Ha-seong signed a four-year, $28 million contract with San Diego in December 2020. The contract expires in the 2024 season, and if the club exercises the option in 2025, it will receive up to $10 million (13.1 billion won) by adding incentives to $7 million.

The media said, “Ha-seong Kim is a reliable player in San Diego,” and “Last season, he filled the vacancy of Fernando Tatis Jr. and played mainly as a shortstop. He showed versatility by playing various positions, including third base, second base, and left fielder.”

“Ha-sung Kim’s contract expires next season, but he has already proven to be a valuable asset to the Padres,” he added. “His versatility and talent will make him an integral part of the team’s future plans.”

This also implies Kim Ha-sung’s long-term contract. Previously, infielder Jake Cronenworth agreed to a 7-year extension, and earlier, Manny Machado also signed an 11-year, $350 million (458.5 billion won) super-large contract. He signed with FA Bogatzwa for a total of 280 million dollars (366.8 billion won) in 11 years.

Previously, the American media The Athletic said, “Ha-seong Kim is the only player among San Diego’s main infielders who has not signed a long-term contract.”

If this kind of performance continues, it seems that it is only a matter of time before San Diego proposes a long-term extension contract to Kim Ha-sung.