Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) is becoming a household name. He is different from starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin (36-Toronto Blue Jays), whose status and popularity are soaring in Korea.
In a feature article on Kim Ha-seong on Sept. 9 (below), the U.S. publication The Athletic wrote, “Toronto left-hander and former KBO star Ryu Hyun-jin remains the most popular Korean major leaguer in the game, but he pitches about once a week. The thrill of a strikeout can’t be matched by a home run or a momentary lake effect. This season, Kim has been delivering both.
It’s hard to keep up with the attention of a starting pitcher, but Kim has made a name for himself in the offense every day. He can hit home runs, steal bases, and play good defense, making him a very appealing everyday player.
Against the Houston Astros on September 9, Kim went 4-for-4 with two home runs, two RBIs, two runs scored, one walk, and three stolen bases. In particular, he had a three-steal game, stealing two bases in the fifth inning and then stealing two bases in the seventh inning. He increased his season stolen base total to 34.
To this point in the season, Kim has batted 27-for-47 (130-for-476) with 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 79 runs scored, 67 walks, 105 strikeouts, a .364 on-base percentage, a .422 slugging percentage and a .786 OPS. With a 19-homer-39-steal pace, he’s arithmetically looking at 20-40.
San Diego manager Bob Melvin told Apple TV, which carried the game, during the third inning, “He’s gotten better and better every year. He can play multiple positions, play good defense, and hit leadoff. He helps the team in every way.”
“He plays on the West Coast, so he doesn’t get a lot of national attention in the U.S., but in his home country across the Pacific, San Diego games are broadcast live every day,” said The Athletic. He has become a national icon in South Korea,” adding that Kim’s status and popularity in his home country is immense.토스카지노
Park Chan-ho, the “first Korean big leaguer,” who serves as an advisor to the San Diego team, also said, “Kim Ha-sung is now a superstar,” adding, “I think the popularity of San Diego in Korea has surpassed the LA Dodgers.
The Dodgers, who have had many Korean players, including Park Chan-ho, Choi Hee-seop, Seo Jae-ng, and Ryu Hyun-jin, are considered the most familiar “national team” in Korea. But now the Dodgers have no Korean players, and interest in San Diego, where Kim plays every day, has increased significantly. The Athletic reports, “Kim grew up playing in the KBO before entering the major leagues. His popularity is even higher in his home country.