Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego Feedless), who is hitting the market every day in the Major League (MLB). Now, even on the center stage,메이저놀이터 we are paying attention to and analyzing his performance.
On the 9th (Korean time), MLB Network, a TV sports channel, devoted time to analyzing Ha-sung Kim under the theme of ‘How underrated is Ha-sung Kim?’ The MLB Network is a baseball broadcasting network in which the Major League Secretariat is the major shareholder.
Kim Ha-seong, who is in his third year in the big leagues, is attracting attention by showing off his best performance this year. Having played in 109 games this season until the 9th, he has a batting average of 0.288, 15 homers, 41 RBIs, 62 points and 24 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.835. The baseball statistics site Baseball Reference’s WAR (contribution to victory over substitutes) was 5.8, ranking first among all fielders in the major leagues. Based on the fan graph, it is also ranked 9th with a rating of 4.3.
As a result, the United States is showing interest in Kim Ha-seong little by little. The MLB Network, which is broadcast across the United States, has also added to this trend. MLB Network, which recently briefly mentioned Ha-seong Kim, introduced the change of Ha-sung Kim with a demonstration by former major league player Mark DeRosa (48). DeRosa, who played 16 seasons in the big leagues, worked as the coach of the US national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held in March.
DeRosa said, “Kim Ha-seong is a special player. He is always adding value.” “He was a player capable of 30 (home run)-30 (steal base) in the KBO league,” he said. In fact, Ha-seong Kim did not achieve 30-30, but he recorded 33 stolen bases in 2019 and hit 30 home runs in 2020. He really showed off what a 5-tool player looks like.
DeRosa said, “Ha-seong Kim is an excellent base runner and shows versatility in defense,” he said, “going back and forth as second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop.” At the same time, he also said that Kim Ha-sung recorded a defensive run save (DRS) +46 over the past three years, third in the major leagues after Ki Brian Hayes (Pittsburgh, +54) and Ryan McMahon (Colorado, +48). mentioned
Until last year, Kim Ha-seong was recognized for his defense, but his offensive ability, which was his strength during his KBO days, received many disappointing reviews. However, DeRosa said, “Kim Ha-seong has changed in the attack this year, and the 20-20 has risen to the level possible.” DeRosa, who mentioned several indicators, said, “(Based on the broadcast date) Kim Ha-sung’s baseball reference WAR is tied for first place.
eRosa had time to analyze the changes in the batting he had brought over the batting video from 2020, the last season of Kim Ha-seong in the KBO. DeRosa said, “Ha-sung Kim came to the major leagues and knew he could hit long shots like the KBO,” and “but he went through an adjustment period for three years.”
At the same time, DeRosa talked about the change in Kim Ha-seong’s batting form in the 3rd major league season from 2021 to this season. He analyzed, “In 2021, Ha-seong Kim’s batting hand was near his face. In 2022, he put a bat on his shoulder, but his hand position was similar.” He continued, “In 2023, I lowered the starting point a little further. I am also doing leg kicks more actively than the previous two years,” describing Ha-seong Kim’s batting form, which has changed.
Kim Ha-seong, who modified his batting form with Kiwoom Heroes junior Lee Jung-hoo (25) last winter, is seeing the effect this season. According to Baseball Servant, a baseball statistics site, this year, Kim Ha-seong recorded a batting average of 0.259 against 345 pitches over 95 miles per hour (about 152.9 km), which is a much better figure than last year’s record (0.150 batting average, 393 pitches). In particular, if he raises the standard above 97 miles per hour (about 156.1 km), his batting average rises to 0.333. This is also a turning point compared to last year (0.118).
DeRosa said, “Ha-seong Kim has been constantly adjusting his batting,” and introduced a video of Ha-seong Kim performing well against fastballs of 96 miles per hour (about 154.5 km) or more this season. In particular, DeRosa paid attention to the scene against starter Jack Wheeler in the game against Philadelphia on the 17th of last month. At that time, Ha-seong Kim picked out a sharp breaking ball while kicking Wheeler’s fastball in the first inning at bat. In the end, he hit a sweeper who fell below the strike zone on the fifth pitch and hit a left-handed home run. It was analyzed that his grades improved while showing a flexible response to off-speed balls.
The MLB Network introduced that Ha-seong Kim, among all hitters in the major leagues who have played at least 130 at-bats since June 16th, has wRC+ (adjusted scoring production) of 185, tying with Freeman for third place and boasting the same productivity. In addition, among hitters who played more than 250 at-bats, the number of pitches per at-bat was 4.36, and Kim Ha-seong was the fourth hitter who annoyed pitchers in the major leagues.
In this way, Kim Ha-seong is receiving attention from all over the United States. At the same time, his value is increasing day by day, such as being named in the National League MVP mock vote.