'Kim Ha-sung → SF, Kim Hye-sung → Seattle' U.S. media. Infielders from South Korea experience an explosion in popularity
Nov 25, 2024
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On the 25th (Korea time), MLB.com evaluated Kim Ha-sung and Kim Hye-sung as suitable players for the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners, respectively, in a corner titled 「Only one FA that suits each club」.
MLB.com first saw Kim Hye-sung, an all-weather infielder, as a second baseman. Reporter Mark Pinesand, who wrote the article, wrote that although Cole Young, the No. 2 prospect this year, did pretty well in Double-A, he's not ready to watch Major League Baseball second base yet. Kim Hye-sung, who is now 26 years old, recorded a slash line of 0.304/0.364/0.403 in seven KBO seasons and recorded at least 25 steals in six seasons'Kim Hye-sung is a contact heater with speed that will help bring dynamics to the Mariners lineup. The Mariners ranked 14th in the AL in this year's team batting average (0.224), and struck out (1625) was the most among the 30 teams.
In other words, Seattle's batters generally have a lot of strikeouts and lack of sophistication, which Kim Hye-sung evaluated as having a remarkable upward effect in both departments. Kim Hye-sung's market value has already been recognized.
ESPN ranked Kim Hye-sung 39th overall in the FA ranking released earlier this month, evaluating it as worth $16.5 million for three years. ESPN reported 'Kim Hye-sung showed outstanding defense in the middle field as a left-handed hitter in the KBO. He lacks power, but he boasts a high contact rate and is a good runner who can do more than 20 steals in a season. Even if you don't evaluate the batting, there will be teams that see you as a low-end regular as a good utility infielder. He explained that betting in his prime is a gamble that clubs can take. It was no different from MLB.com 's assessment.
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In an article from San Antonio where the Major League Baseball general manager meeting was held on the 7th, reporter Pinesand also said 'Will Kim Ha-sung be the first player to be sold in the market? According to sources, Kim Ha-sung has received a lot of attention since the beginning of the FA opening. According to another source, the Giants are focusing on signing Kim Ha-sung.
Rumors that San Francisco is interested in Kim Ha-sung have already emerged before this season. San Francisco has been anxious about its shortstop position this year. There was no player who could be called the main player. Of course, it is difficult to estimate at the moment how much investment San Francisco can make in Kim Ha-sung, but it is expected that it may offer formidable conditions.
Reporter Feinsand stressed that the Milwaukee Brewers are also mentioned regarding Kim Ha-sung, but the Giants seem to be most interested in him. Other expected destinations for Kim Ha-sung include the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and original team San Diego.
The best shortstop in the FA market is Willie Adames, and Kim Ha-sung is considered to have the second highest value. Jose Iglesias, Paul De Jong, Ahmed Rosario, Nick Ahmed, Mason McCoy, Aledmis Diaz and Tim Anderson are in the shortstop market, but they are not attracting attention.
jhno@sportschosun.com
