582→626→? Kim Ha-sung needs to fill the regulatory at-bats for 3 consecutive years...FA jackpot uncertain due to prolonged shoulder injury
Sep 10, 2024
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There is no problem with hitting and ground ball defense, but there is still pain in throwing from shortstop to first base. San Diego coach Mike Shildt said in a briefing with local media on the 9th (Korea time), `Kim Ha-sung did not come to the level we wanted. I can't say it got worse until yesterday, but it didn't get better either. We still have to evaluate the condition,' he said. 'We will continue to watch Kim Ha-sung's ground ball defense and throw to first base after today.'
Kim Ha-sung, who injured his right shoulder while sliding while returning to first base against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on the 19th of last month, was on the 10-day injured list (IL) starting the following day. Regulations allowed him to return on August 30, but he is still undergoing rehabilitation due to throwing problems. Last week, he joined the big league squad after staying at Arizona's spring training camp, batting and defensive training. It has already been 21 days since the IL registration.
During this period, San Diego went 11-9 in 20 games. As of the 10th, San Diego is ranking second in the National League West with 81 wins and 64 losses and first in the wild card.
Kim Ha-sung's gap is not felt much, but if the IL period is longer, it seems inevitable to reinforce shortstop. Mason McCoy, who was called up from the minor leagues, is doing his part in defense, but his batting is far below expectations with a batting average of 0.204 and an OPS of 0.523.
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In other words, it is unclear whether Kim Ha-sung will return within the regular season, but it is right that we have to prepare with all possibilities open for now. San Diego has 17 games left in the regular season. San Diego, which took a break on the day, will hold five consecutive away games against the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants from the 11th to the 16th. First of all, Kim Ha-sung is expected to move with the team and check his shoulder condition.
If Kim Ha-sung's rehabilitation is prolonged and his absence is prolonged or the season ends like this, he may think about the FA declaration. This year is the last season of Kim Ha-sung's four-year, $28 million contract. Mutual options are at stake for $7 million next year, and so far, the prevailing view has been that Kim Ha-sung will reject it and go to the market.
Kim Ha-sung is likely to find it difficult to fill the regulatory at-bats. Kim Ha-sung, who played 470 at-bats, needs 32 at-bats to fill the regulation. If he enters four at-bats in a game, he must play at least eight games.
Except for his debut season, Kim Ha-sung has surpassed the regular at-bats in 2022 (582 at-bats) and 2023 (626 at-bats). For the third year in a row, the rule batting has become unclear. You may have to give up one valuable stat to stick out at the FA negotiating table.
jhno@sportschosun.com
