Kim Ha-seong Returns to Korea with Majesty

Kim Ha-seong Returns to Korea with ‘Majesty’… From Trade Target to Confident Starter

“I had a physical problem at the end of the season… I will work on it further in the off-season.”

“I was worried that if I didn’t get good results, it would have a negative impact on my juniors… I played with the mindset that I had to do well.”

Kim Ha-seong (27, San Diego Padres), who left for the United States a year ago saying, “I will do well to overcome the competition for the starting position,” returned home with a majestic appearance. 카지노

Ha-seong Kim, who finished the 2023 season of the American Professional Baseball Major League (MLB), returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 11th and looked back on the season, saying, "I think I performed better than last year."

“I will remain,” he said.

He added, “I modified my batting form through a lot of training with (personal coach) Coach Wonjae Choi in the U.S., which was a big help in improving my slugging power.

There are still things I need to improve on, so I will prepare with more care in the off-season.”

Ha-seong Kim played a key role in San Diego's offense and defense as the regular first hitter and starting second baseman this season.

His performance this season was a batting average of 0.260, 17 home runs, and 38 stolen bases in 152 games, a significant increase compared to the 2022 season (batting average of 0.251 in 150 games, 11 home runs, and 12 stolen bases).

Although his record dropped at the end of the season due to poor batting, Ha-seong Kim played a leading role in San Diego with his hustle play that did not spare his body, his unique defensive ability, and his ability to execute operations.

In fact, Ha-seong Kim's position in the team was unstable until a year ago.

San Diego recruited Sander Boharz, the league's top shortstop, last winter, and local media highly predicted the possibility of Kim Ha-seong being traded.

In fact, San Diego general manager AJ Preller also revealed that other teams had inquired about a trade for Kim Ha-seong.

Ha-seong Kim devoted himself to training in an uncertain situation and overcame competition for the starting spot in a San Diego team filled with all-star infielders.

Ha-seong Kim still looks higher.

He said, “Actually, my batting performance dropped significantly at the end of the season,” and “I think my physical strength was a big problem.”

He continued by saying, “I played around a lot of positions, and while I was stealing a lot of bases, I also had minor injuries,” and pledged, “I will make up for these things well (in the off-season).”

Although Ha-seong Kim expressed more disappointment than satisfaction, Ha-seong Kim is considered a strong candidate for the National League second baseman Gold Glove award locally.

The Gold Glove is an award given to the league's best defender, and Ha-Seong Kim was a finalist last season as well.

Ha-seong Kim said, “I’m lying if I say I’m not greedy,” and added, “I don’t know what the results will be, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Ha-Seong Kim looked at himself and also gave advice to juniors dreaming of entering the MLB.

He said, “I entered the MLB after receiving a considerable amount of money, but it is true that I was worried that my juniors would be adversely affected if I did not get good results,” and added, “I played with the thought that I had to do better.”

He continued, "Fortunately, I think I achieved good results.

I hope that many promising players will have big dreams and train hard from a young age."

Ha-seong Kim also congratulated the juniors who won gold medals at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

He said, "I have participated in the Asian Games, but I think the juniors have overcome the great pressure well.

In fact, the national team performed poorly at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held early this year, but they performed well in the international competition that followed."

“I am grateful to the juniors who contributed,” he said.

Now, Ha-seong Kim is focusing on personal training in Korea and preparing for the 2024 season in earnest.

The 2024 season is more important than ever.

Ha-seong Kim, who signed a 4+1 year contract with San Diego in the winter of 2020, will become eligible as a free agent (FA) after the end of next year's season.

Coincidentally, the first game of the 2024 season will be held in Korea.

MLB will hold the opening two-game series between San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Seoul from March 20th to 21st.

Ha-Seong Kim will wear a San Diego uniform and play in front of Korean fans.

The likely location for the game will be Gocheok Sky Dome, the home stadium of Kiwoom Heroes, the home team.

Ha-seong Kim said, “I think Korean fans will be very happy,” and added, “This is the first time an MLB game is being held in Korea, and I think it is a great honor.”

He also laughed and said, "I will do my best to listen to what my colleagues, including Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, want (in Korea)."