Players playing in the KBO will dream of playing in MLB.
This is because it is a difficult place to challenge. Even if they advance, they cannot play as MLB right away. Kim Ha-sung, who advanced last year, received a lot of criticism for his poor performance and had a difficult year, but this year appeared like a miracle.
There was that much hard work. SD wants to advance to the World Series and win, and Kim Ha-sung wants to receive a gold glove in the shortstop category.
Kim Ha-sung (27, San Diego Padres) was selected as the final candidate for the Gold Glove shortstop category in the Major League Baseball (MLB). Rawlings, a baseball equipment company that sponsors the Gold Glove Awards, announced the final candidates for Gold Glove by position on the 21st (Korea Standard Time), and Kim Ha-sung was proudly listed as the final three in the National League shortstop category. Kim Ha-sung competes with Miguel Rojas of the Miami Marlins and Danceby Swanson of the Atlanta Braves.
Kim Ha-sung received a steady chance to play as Fernando Tatis Jr., who played as a shortstop for San Diego until last year, failed to play this year due to injuries and detection of banned drugs.
Kim Ha-sung showed his true worth and expanded his presence in his second season in the Major League.
The trust of coaching staff and fellow players for Kim Ha-sung has also increased. The defense is basic, and he has established himself as a top shortstop in the Major League by showing impressive scenes several times in batting and base running.
Kim Ha-sung played 131 games in the regular season this year and made only nine errors while playing 1,092 innings. The ERA reaches 0.980. Kim Ha-sung’s multi-position ability to cover both shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman is also a big advantage.
Kim Ha-sung’s value is also shining in the ongoing postseason. He scored as many as eight points while on base 11 times in nine games until Game 2 of the Championship Series.
San Diego legend Tony Gwynn became the hero of the new history by breaking the record of seven runs in 10 games in the postseason in 1984 in nine games. The “on-base = score” formula made by Kim Ha-sung has become a new weapon for San Diego. He is also shrewd in defense of his greatest strength.
It remains to be seen whether Kim Ha-sung, who is considered the best shortstop in the Major League, will hold the Gold Glove in his second year in the big league. If the award is confirmed, he will be the first Korean player.