Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) is next to the two leading MVP candidates in both leagues. Based on the baseball reference, WAR (Win Above Replacement) was 4.8, ranking third in the major leagues in this category. The highest number ever for a Korean player is also at a pace that can be expected.
Ha-seong Kim started as a first hitter shortstop in an away game against the Detroit Tigers in the 2023 Major League Baseball held at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, USA on the 23rd (Korean time), 3 hits in 4 at bats, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1 walk, including the 12th home run of the season.온라인카지노
Kim Ha-seong, who stepped on first base with a walk from the first at-bat in the first inning, withdrew with a fly ball to second base in the second inning, but went out with a heavy hit in the fourth inning. In the 6th inning, he connected another chance with a walk, and in the 7th inning, he tasted his 12th home run of the season as a solo catcher. The record for most home runs in a single season by individuals since his major league debut exceeded 11 last year. In the ninth inning, when the game was tied in the final at-bat, Detroit infielder Jack Short took the mound. Ha-seong Kim did not lose concentration and made even the 65.7 mile (105.7 km) Arirang ball a right-handed hit.
Tremendous contribution to victory, 3rd place in WAR after Ohtani and Akuna
Although there was a catch error in the 6th inning defense, Kim Ha-seong, who played a big role in hitting, improved his performance with a batting average of .268 (84 hits in 313 bats), 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, 51 points, 18 steals, 42 walks, 79 strikeouts in 94 games for the season, .357 slugging percentage, .428 OPS, .785. In 16 games in July, the batting average is 30.8 li (20 hits in 65 at-bats), 3 homers, 4 RBIs, OPS of .892, and the momentum is getting hotter.
Kim Ha-seong, who also raised his WAR from 4.5 to 4.8 after the game, ranked third overall in the major leagues in this category, following Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani (6.8) and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (5.0). Classic performance is not comparable to the two players, but the practical contribution is very high by showing off all-weather infield defense centered on second base.
Ohtani and Acuña Jr. are the most likely MVP candidates this season in the American League (AL) and National League (NL), respectively. It is surprising that Ha-seong Kim is located right next to these players. Star players such as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (4.6), Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (4.5), and Dodgers center fielder Mookie Betts (4.4) are behind Kim Ha-seong in WAR.
Beyond Choo Shin-soo, Korea’s WAR’s best pace, superstar evaluation
If Kim Ha-seong continues the current pace, it is worth expecting to break the WAR 6 mark for the first time as a Korean major league player. In 2010, Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) outfielder Choo Shin-soo’s 5.9 was the best. Then, in 2019, Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin’s 5.1. Park Chan-ho, the first Korean big leaguer, also had the best 4.9 during his 2000 Dodgers career.
The MLB.com, the official homepage of Major League Baseball, also said, “Ha-seong Kim does not belong to the superstar category, but he may have to now.” San Diego hasn’t produced a second baseman with a WAR of 5 or better since Mark Loretta in 2004.”
Loretta, who was active in 5 clubs for 15 years from 1995 to 2009 and was selected as an All-Star twice, played in 154 games in San Diego in 2004 with a batting average of .335 (208 hits in 620), 16 homers, 76 RBIs, and an OPS of .886. He had a career high season, earning All-Star and Silver Slugger honors with a WAR of 6.0