“This Korean superstar has been nothing short of amazing”
Kim Ha-seong’s performances in the United States have been nothing short of spectacular.
On the previous day (9 September), Kim batted first and second in the lineup against the Seattle Mariners in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, U.S.A. He went 1-for-3 with one hit, one walk, three stolen bases and one run scored.온라인바카라
In the game, Kim led off the top of the first inning with a walk and stole second against Seattle starter Emerson Hancock. He then stole second base on the next at-bat by Fernando Tatis Jr. Then, with Juan Soto at bat, Kim took advantage of Hancock’s lack of discipline to steal third base. His 25th and 26th stolen bases of the season allowed Soto to score despite the fact that he only hit a grounder to the pitcher.
With the bases loaded in the top of the third, Kim took a four-pitch sinker from Hancock to left-centre. Kim resumed his multi-hit streak, which was cut short on the ninth. It also extended his hitting streak to 15 games. It was the longest hitting streak in eight years since Matt Kemp (15 games for San Diego) in 2015.
Kim’s “stolen base instinct” continued.
He stole another base off Tatis Jr. for his 27th stolen base of the season. It was the most stolen bases in a game since he made his major league debut and moved him into fourth place in the National League in stolen bases.
The local US media outlet Fan Nation wrote a tribute to Kim with the headline “How Kim Ha-Sung became the best player in the major leagues”.
Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres attempts to steal a base Photo by AFP/Yonhap
“Kim’s numbers this season are among the best in the majors,” Fan Nation wrote, “better than MVP candidates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is the most dominant in San Diego.”
Indeed, in 110 games this season, Kim is hitting .288 with 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, 63 runs scored, 27 doubles, and an OPS of .835. At his current pace, he’s on pace to break the triple barrier and steal 38 bases.
In addition, Kim’s bWAR (Wins Above Replacement), as measured by Baseball-Reference, an American statistical site, is 5.9, which ranks him second behind Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels – 9.0). He is also ranked seventh in fWAR, or wins above replacement, by another statistical site, FanGraphs, with a figure of 4.4.
“While Tatis Jr. has been mentioned as the face of San Diego, Kim is now the face of the team and is arguably the best player in the majors,” the publication said, adding, “We love his versatility.”
Meanwhile, Kim will have 11 days off. He will travel to Chase Field in Arizona on the 12th to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Blake Snell will start for San Diego and Rein Nelson for Arizona.