Padres News: Ha Seong Kim Finally Brings Home Elusive Gold Glove Award

He has been rewarded for his strong defensive abilities.

2023 was a great season for San Diego Padres second baseman Ha-Seong Kim which saw him have a career year. He was one of the few players for the Friars who was consistent throughout, both on the offensive and defensive side of the game.

Naturally a shortstop, Kim moved over to the second base position this season once the team signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts last offseason. The team believed in his ability to play the new position, and he showed them that he could excel in the new spot.

Kim earned his first Gold Glove award this year at the utility spot in the National League. He played multiple positions but primarily was at second during the course of the season.

금빛 그 자체 🤩

Congratulations to Ha-Seong Kim on winning his first Gold Glove Award! pic.twitter.com/0iKPTxGxZY

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) November 6, 2023

However, after Bogaerts suffered some injury issues, he slid back to shortstop and alternated between spots based on how was on the mound for San Diego. He even played some third base this season, proving that he was a relied-upon utilityman for the Padres.

His transition to the new positions allowed the Padres some much-needed flexibility during the season, and they can now look at things differently this offseason as well. Knowing that he can play multiple positions in the infield allows them to build their roster out in different ways, and it’s just another way that he is helping them find success.

Kim was a plus defender at all three positions, and he reminded everyone how elite of a defender he was this year. He rewarded the Padres for trusting him, and he easily has become one of the more important players on this San Diego roster entering 2024.

If Kim can keep up this level of production, the Padres will be in great shape. They need him to continue his strong defense, and the hope is that next season provides more on-field success than 2023 saw.