Padres News: Friars Have Moved Ha-Seong Kim to Leadoff Spot & Results Are Showing

Kim is just doing all he can to help his squad

The San Diego Padres picked up their second straight win in convincing fashion. The Friars mauled the Nationals in the first of three with a 13-3 win on Friday night. 

San Diego is now only two games below .500 and will look to reach it by the end of the week. Last night was fun to watch as the offense wasted no time putting up runs, thanks to Friday's lead-off man, infielder Ha-Seong Kim.

Kim started the game with a lead-off homer and finished the game going 2-for-5 with a homer and single, ending the game with three RBIs and two runs. 

You can't stop him cause he's Kim Possible 😏#BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/F30fhcLI9U

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 24, 2023

After the game, the 27-year-old spoke to 97.2 The Fan and discussed how he feels leading off with a team full of stars. 

Ha-Seong Kim hit a leadoff home run and two-run single in the Padres' 13-3 win against the Nationals.@SammyLev spoke with Kim after the game, with translator Leo Bae: pic.twitter.com/2Y8h0VXb1g

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) June 24, 2023

"No matter the order I hit, if this team needs me at lead-off; I'll just do my job and do my best."

Padres skipper Bob Melvin knows that Kim is great against lefties and didn't think twice about it with the Nationals starting Patrick Corbin. 

“Look at his numbers against left-handed pitching; it’s really good,” Melvin said before Friday’s 6:40 p.m. first pitch. “Tati in general is our leadoff hitter, but he likes hitting anywhere. I think sometimes he likes a little bit of a challenge hitting in other spots, but it’s just as much without Xander in there, leading (Kim) off and having some results, so we’ll put him back in there again.”

(via San Diego Tribune)

The three-year Padre is at his best against southpaws, hitting .250/.348/.438 with a .785 OPS. Although those numbers may not pop off the page, his OPS is better with lefties than righties, as he has a .682 OPS. 

Overall, it was the right decision, and this type of performance from Kim adds to what could be a great individual season for the Korean.