Padres News: Ha-Seong Kim is Putting Together Another Gold-Glove Season Despite the Position Change

The one bright spot for the Friars early this season

San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim has undoubtedly been a shining star amidst a struggling season for the Friars. His performance both at the plate and on the field, has been nothing short of tremendous, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. In his third year in the league, it appears that Kim is poised to have the best season of his career, and there's even a chance that it could culminate in some well-deserved hardware. 

Not only is Kim one of the top defenders on his team, but he stands out as one of the premier defensive players in the entire league, and the numbers show it. Kim is currently leading the league in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). 

Ha-Seong Kim has been elite with the glove 💪#MLBNow | @Padres pic.twitter.com/IWkBmOJFym

— MLB Now (@MLBNow) June 8, 2023

His exceptional skills in the field are no surprise to those who followed his career in the KBO. During his time there from 2018 to 2020, Kim was a three-time Gold Glove winner. In the big leagues, Kim has been exceptional anywhere he's been on the field; this season, he's showing he can play anywhere on the infield, like shortstop, third base, and second base. Kim has excelled in all of these positions for the Padres but has predominantly played second base this season.

In second base, where he's spent 34 games, he has a fielding percentage of .993, only one error, 54 putouts, and 85 assists; Kim's defensive statistics speak for themselves. The numbers strongly support the notion that Ha-Seong could very well receive his first Gold Glove in the major leagues. In fact, Kim himself has expressed confidence in his ability to earn his first gold glove award this season. 

Ha-Seong has been a tremendous asset to the Padres, and fans are eagerly awaiting his continued growth and success. His exceptional defensive skills and all-around contributions have solidified his place as a key player in the team's lineup. As the season progresses, it will be a delight to witness Kim's development and see how far his talent can take him.