“This Korean superstar has been incredible”
Kim Ha-seong’s performances have been so impressive that the American public has fallen in love with him.
The previous day (Sept. 9), Kim started at first base against the Seattle Mariners in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, U.S., and went 1-for-3 with a home run, one walk, three stolen bases, and one run scored.
In the game, Kim led off the first inning with a walk and scored on a wild pitch against Seattle starter Emerson Hancock. He then stole second base on the next at-bat by Fernando Tatis Jr. After a Juan Soto at-bat, Kim took advantage of Hancock’s lapse in coverage and stole third base. He stole his 25th and 26th bases of the season, allowing Soto to score even though he only hit a grounder to the pitcher.
With the bases loaded in the top of the third, Kim took a four-pitch sinker from Hancock to left-center field. Kim resumed his multi-hit streak, which was cut short in Game 9. It also extended his hitting streak to 15 games. It’s the longest hitting streak in eight years since Matt Kemp hit in 15 games for San Diego in 2015.
Kim’s “stolen base instinct” continued.
He stole another base off Tatis Jr. for his 27th stolen base of the season. It was the most stolen bases in a game since he made his major league debut and moved him into fourth place in the National League in stolen bases.
Local U.S. media outlet Fan Nation praised Kim with the headline “How Kim became the best player in the major leagues”.
“Kim’s stats this season are among the best in the majors,” Fan Nation wrote, “better than MVP candidates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is the most dominant in San Diego.”
In fact, Kim is hitting .288 with 15 home runs, 41 RBI, 63 runs scored, 27 doubles, and an OPS of .835 in 110 games this season. At his current pace, he’s on pace to break the triple barrier and steal 38 bases.
According to Baseball-Reference, an American statistical site, Kim’s Wins Above Replacement (bWAR) is 5.9, which ranks him second behind Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels – 9.0). He also ranks seventh in fWAR, or wins above replacement, on another statistical site, FanGraphs, with a figure of 4.4.
“While Tatis Jr. has been mentioned as the face of San Diego, Kim is now the face of the organization and is arguably the best player in the majors,” the publication said, adding, “We love his versatility.”카지노사이트
Meanwhile, Kim will have 11 days off. He will travel to Chase Field in Arizona on April 12 to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. San Diego will start Blake Snell and Arizona will start Rein Nelson.