[IS 피플] A questionable choice?… Second baseman is’confidence’ for Ha Sung Kim.

‘San Diego Man’ Kim Ha-seong, 26, was daunted. I wasn’t afraid to switch positions.

Kim Ha-seong said at a press conference held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th, “I am confident about second baseman. I saw second baseman in high school, and when I was 20 years old, I learned all the steps, such as backing up (second baseman).”

This winter, Ha-Sung Kim signed a contract with San Diego to receive a 4 year guarantee of 28 million dollars (31.3 billion won) through posting (private competitive bidding). Including options, you can receive up to 32 million dollars (35.8 billion won), and if the mutual option is activated for the 5th year, the contract will expand to a maximum of 39 million dollars (43.6 billion won). It advances to the Major League (MLB) with the best conditions among all the beasts from the KBO league.

However, it was a questionable option. Kim Ha-sung’s main position is shortstop. San Diego is home to shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis Jr. is a top player who became a star after two seasons of MLB debut. His value is sky-high enough to talk about a 10-year long-term contract.

Ha-sung Kim stepped on the ground as a third baseman if he was not a shortstop in the KBO League. However, Manny Machado, who has won two gold glove awards, stands at third base in San Diego. Ha-sung Kim is preparing for the first season of MLB as an unfamiliar second baseman.

Kim Ha-seong replied honestly, “Honestly, this part (position change) took place. My position was shortstop, and in the pro, I was both shortstop and third baseman. But I have to compete for second base.” But sooner or later, “Whichever team I go to, I thought I should be good in the end. I wanted to play for a team with a good player base. I competed in the KBO league and went through a period of adaptation. If I have a good infield, I think I have a lot to learn. Interpreted as.

Rather, I was full of confidence. Ha-seong Kim, “I think I have to bump into it. I can’t measure my grades either. I think if I run full-time, I can hit a double-digit home run,” he said. “Because running as a starting point means that you adapt well and are recognized. (MLB) has more games than Korea, so I think I can hit a double-digit home run if I play more.” In the KBO League regular season, 144 games per team are played. MLB is 162 matches. Kim Ha-sung’s personal most home runs in a season were 30 hits last year.

San Diego actively recruited players this winter. In addition to Kim Ha-sung, he brought Darvish You, Blake Snell, and Joe Musgrove by trade. All three are selection resources that can play the role of an ace. With bold investments, it has emerged as an opponent of the Earth’s rival LA Dodgers. Founded in 1969, San Diego has not yet won the World Series. Two times in his career (1984/1998), he went on the stage of the World Series and lost all. Local media say ‘2021 is the right time for San Diego to win its first championship’.

Kim Ha-seong said, “San Diego (at the time of signing the contract) said that it will have the power to challenge the World Series within the next few years. That part touched me. In Korea, I have a thirst for winning because I have not experienced it.” . “(Ryu) Hyun-jin wants to hit the ball once. When I joined, I already went to the MLB (in the KBO league), so I couldn’t deal with it. Doesn’t he throw a very good ball. He’s a top pitcher in the MLB, but even if he can’t hit it, Hyun-jin hyung. I want to see the ball once.”

Ha-Sung Kim leaves behind 7 years of KBO League experience and takes on a new challenge. Among the beasts from the KBO League, he is the sixth beast ever to advance to the MLB stage. “When (Park) Byung-ho (Park) entered MLB (2016) and played his first full-time season, Director Yeom Gyeong-yeop said,’Look at MLB too.’ I have been dreaming that way.” I received a lot of love while playing in. I think that if I do well, I will become a better role model for younger students. I will go and work hard, so watch me.”

Reporter Bae Joong-hyun [email protected]