Kim Ha-seong doing defensive training
Last year, Ha-seong Kim mainly played second base and won the Gold Glove Award in the utility category.
Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) regained his starting shortstop position after one season.
San Diego coach Mike Silt met with local reporters, including MLB.com, at the Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona, USA, where spring training was held on the 17th (Korean time) and emphasized, “Kim Ha-seong is a player who won the National League Gold Glove in the utility category last year,” and added, “This year’s Sander “Bohartz will move to second base and Ha-seong Kim will play shortstop. Boharz also understands that Ha-seong Kim playing at shortstop will help the team,” he said.
Although it was expressed carefully in order to honor Bereland Boharz, it ultimately means that Kim Ha-seong, who has a ‘better defense’, will be appointed as the starting shortstop in 2024.
Ha-seong Kim, who seemed to have solidified his position as San Diego’s starting shortstop by playing 1,092 innings at shortstop in 2022, moved to second base in 2023 as the club recruited large shortstop Bohartz in December 2022.
In 2023, Ha-seong Kim stayed on the ground for 856⅔ innings as a second baseman, 253⅓ innings as a third baseman, and 153⅓ innings as a shortstop, and won the Gold Glove Award in the utility category in recognition of his defensive skills.
Bohartz is also an above-average shortstop, but Ha-sung Kim’s defensive ability is among the best in the major leagues.
Ha-seong Kim smiles brightly as he prepares for training.
Bohartz also understood the club’s decision.
He said, “I signed with San Diego as a shortstop, but what is more important is for the team to play better baseball and win the World Series. I accepted the club’s decision in 15 seconds. I recognize Ha-seong Kim’s defensive ability. “I can accept a change in position if it is helpful,” he said.
Coach Silt repeatedly praised Boharz, saying, “I talked to Boharz about changing his position in December of last year, and Boharz agreed with our club’s wishes,” adding, “Bohartz is a great player who plays for the team.”
‘Shortstop’ is such a symbolic position that the head coach expressed his gratitude to Boharz several times.
Last year, Kim Ha-seong was pushed out of ‘name value’ and gave up the shortstop position to Bohartz.And thanks to his skills, he regained his position as the starting shortstop.
Kim Ha-seong, who signed a 4+1 year contract with San Diego in 2021 for $28 million guaranteed, up to $39 million, will not sign a ‘+1 year’ extension at the end of this season and will exercise his free agent (FA) rights. It is a prospect.
San Diego may trade Kim Ha-seong during the season.
Local media predict that when Kim Ha-seong enters the free agent market, he will sign a large contract with an annual average of $20 million and a total of more than $100 million.
Kim Ha-seong, who raised his batting index last year with a batting average of 0.260, 17 home runs, 60 RBI, 38 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.749, could see his value rise further if he shows off his excellent defensive ability as the starting shortstop this year. 일본야동