Like Ryu Hyun-jin five years ago? ...Kim Ha-sung, who changed his uniform, will his career crisis → fly to the temporary stadium's foothold
Feb 05, 2025
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Kim Ha-sung is taking on a new challenge. Kim Ha-sung signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays for up to 31 million dollars (about 45.2 billion won) on the 4th (Korea time). It is a 1+1 contract that includes the right to opt out (player option) to declare FA after the end of this season.
Tampa Bay, known locally as 'Taedori', has made an unexpected investment. MLB.COM is the fifth-largest FA contract in franchise history and second among fielders. Kim Ha-sung explained, 'Tampa Bay's highest salary this season.
Kim Ha-sung, who was born in 1995, turned 30 this year. It's a year worthy of a new challenge, a new leap forward.
Above all, recovery from shoulder injury is an urgent priority. Kim Ha-sung is dreaming of returning at the end of April. He is confident that he can return to the Major League stage in early May at the latest.
However, there are more than one or two factors that need to be newly adapted as much as the changed physical condition.
First, it's the position. During the San Diego Padres, Kim Ha-sung's main position was a second baseman and his role was a utility player who played infield positions. As a result of playing shortstop, second base and third base, he also won the honor of the utility position Gold Glove in 2023.
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However, unlike San Diego, which was able to relatively ease the burden of hitting and focus on defense, Tampa Bay President Eric Nieder affirmed the effect of recruiting Kim Ha-sung as a `plan to strengthen offensive power in positions where defense is important.' Whether it is a table setter with excellent base running ability or a batter with one shot, it is a position to make an impact on the offense side.
The former San Diego Padres are located on the west coast of California, while the new Tampa Bay is located in southeastern Florida. We need to adapt to different time zones, climates, and environments.
The most important thing is the ballpark itself. It is also the most curious point in the region.
Petco Park, San Diego's home stadium, is an open-air baseball stadium. In the past, international competitions such as the World Baseball Classic (WBC) were also held frequently, boasting excellent grass conditions. It is one of the key factors for infielder Kim Ha-sung.
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This year, he decided to use Steinbrenner Field, a minor league stadium for the New York Yankees.
Of course, the Major League Baseball Secretariat and Tampa Bay clubs will prepare for the season with all their heart, but there will be a difference from the existing stadium in terms of convenience facilities as well as the baseball stadium itself.
Looking back, there was a precedent for temporary use of the '2nd Army Stadium' during the regular season among Korean major leaguers. Ryu Hyun-jin from the Toronto Blue Jays.
At that time, COVID-19 was a problem. Canada has used Salon Field of the Buffalo Bisons, a triple-A team under Toronto, as it does not allow large numbers of people to enter the country like a major league team.
It was a shortened season, and it was different from usual in many ways, such as dividing regions and playing regular seasons. Despite the small number of games, not only the Toronto squad but also the opposing team complained of inconvenience in an environment different from that of the Major League Baseball.
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Ryu Hyun-jin played the role of the team's first starting ace in 2020, his first year in Toronto, leading Toronto to advance to the eighth seed postseason. He played 67 innings in 12 games with 5 wins, 2 losses and a 2.69 ERA, followed by the glory of the top three Cy Young Award voting for the second consecutive year.
In 2021, his performance at the temporary stadium was better. Although his ERA deteriorated to 4.37, he was responsible for 169 innings in 31 games and 14-10. Ryu's 14 wins are tied for the most wins in a single season during his U.S. career.
Ryu Hyun-jin's fastball is not outstanding, but based on exquisite breaking balls such as ball control and change-up, and slow speed control? 貶?It's a style that induces grounders. Like infielder Kim Ha-sung, he is heavily influenced by the ground. Even though the environment surrounding him has changed like a bolt out of the blue with Lee Jeok, he has endured wisely.
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For Kim Ha-sung, it is the turning point of his career. If you show a good performance this year, it is also possible to be evaluated again in the market after opt-out.
Will Kim Ha-sung be able to withstand the crisis well and succeed in making another leap forward.
Reporter Kim Young-rok lunarfly@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
