Even though the team is very likely not going to go where they want to go, Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego) is coming off a season that was good enough to get him where he wants to go. He’s improved offensively, defensively, and defensively this year, and has developed into an integral part of the team, as well as a defender and leadoff man that the entire league is watching.
It’s a shame that his batting performance has dropped off a bit since September, when the physical demands have increased. Still, Kim’s offensive numbers are likely to be the best they’ve ever been in the major leagues. As of Sept. 15, Kim has played in 141 games, batting .268 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 35 doubles, and 80 runs scored. He’s already surpassed his career highs in hits, home runs, runs scored, and stolen bases. He needs just two more RBIs to break his personal record.
He also has a wRC+ of 118, according to FanGraphs. In 2021, he had a 72, and last year he had a 106. Last year, he was above the league average, and this year, he’s 18% better than the league average. He also leads the National League in stolen bases. No wonder his contributions to the team are so high.
Now the question is, can he win a title? This is where the upcoming Gold Glove Awards come into play. Kim was a finalist for the National League Gold Glove last year. The award went to Dansby Swanson (now of the Chicago Cubs), but Kim was in the final three. The Gold Glove is based on defensive metrics compiled by SIS, combined with votes from on-field officials. The numbers were good, and the on-field ratings were good.
At this time last year, he wasn’t a favorite for the award, and some people were surprised to see him in the top three. But this year is different. He’s a strong contender in both the Second Base category and the Utility Player category, which was created last year. He’s been performing well in defensive metrics like DRS and OAA all season, and now he’s been recognized as “the guy who plays defense” in the major leagues. He has a brand, which can have a huge impact on voting.
MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, also predicted four stories for San Diego after the season on Friday, all of which pointed to Kim as a likely Gold Glove winner. Despite their poor record this year, San Diego’s defense has been very good. In the infield, Kim has been outstanding. In the outfield, defending Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham, as well as outfield convert Fernando Tatis Jr.
MLB.com believes all three players have a shot at winning the Gold Glove, saying of Kim, “He could win the Gold Glove at second base, or he could be named the best utility player,” adding, “He played primarily at second base, but he’s excelled everywhere, including third base and shortstop.
Where Kim will compete is still up in the air. This year, Kim played 777⅔ innings at second base, 245⅓ at third base, and 137⅓ at shortstop. He’s an all-around beauty, and he still managed to post a +13 DRS. That’s among the best in the league, and depending on how you value his contributions across multiple positions, he could be close to winning the award.
Even if he doesn’t win the award, Kim’s defensive prowess has already been recognized. He could be a Gold Glove contender at any time. Kim is also quite pleased with his performance this year, saying that despite the team’s disappointing record, the season has shown that he has stepped up his game in the face of the major league’s long schedule.토토사이트
In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, he said, “Personally, I think I played really well throughout the season. If you compare my numbers from last year to this year, I’m running more, hitting more, and playing in a lot more games,” he said, “So, it’s still hard, but I feel like I’ve done a really good job this year.” A Gold Glove would be the icing on the cake after such a satisfying season.