why again? Reigniting Kim Ha-seong trade rumors “Significant value to PS team with shortstop injury”
The trade possibility of Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego) has reignited.
The San Diego Union-Tribune, an American media, said on the 10th (Korean time), “If a shortstop is seriously injured in a team aiming to advance to the postseason (PS), Ha-seong Kim has considerable value. Some scouts consider him the best defensive shortstop in San Diego. evaluate,” he said.
Kim Ha-seong’s defense is at the highest level this year, following last year when he was the first Asian major leaguer to become one of the three finalists for the Gold Glove Award. Until the 11th, Ha-seong Kim is running at the top of the entire major league second baseman category in various defensive indicators. The traditional sabermetrics metric DRS (Defensive Run Save—how many runs prevented) is tied for first in the major leagues 안전놀이터 with +6 points, and the latest defensive metric OAA (Outs Above Average—how many out counts you catch above league average) shown) is tied for second place with +4. In addition, he has a running sense (6 steals), and several clubs including Boston and Miami last winter considered Kim Ha-seong as a starting shortstop candidate.
However, the media pointed out that there are several obstacles to Kim Ha-seong being traded. The San Diego Union-Tribune is concerned, “Ha-sung Kim’s difficulties with fastball are rising again. His batting average of 0.171 against fastball this season and slugging percentage of 0.229 (as of the 11th, batting average of 0.145 and slugging percentage of 0.182) are not good.” did.
In the meantime, Kim Ha-seong has been pointed out as a problem with the major league’s response to fastballs. He himself recognized that point and corrected his batting form with Lee Jung-hoo (25, Kiwoom) ahead of this season. He was trying to be more nimble on fastballs and increase his extra-base hits.
So far, the results have not been promising. He is batting below league average (wRC+100) with a .229 batting average, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs, an OPS of 0.686, and wRC+ (adjusted scoring production) of 96 in 34 games. His batting average by type of pitch is 0.145 for fastballs, 0.342 for breaking balls (such as sliders and curveballs), and 0.250 for off-speed pitches (such as changeups), and he is still struggling with his fastball.
In addition, the media said, “San Diego signed a 4-year, $28 million contract with Kim Ha-seong ahead of the 2021 season, and then entered into a business relationship with Korea. It is said that the opening game will be held in Korea, but will San Diego go to Korea without Kim Ha-sung?”, predicting that the trade will not be easy.
Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong missed the away game against Minnesota on the 11th. San Diego lost 3-4 after 11 extra innings.