Padres News: Ha-Seong Kim Leading Off Friars, Nola Starting Over Sanchez

Minor changes for the Friars ahead of their Tuesday matchup

Your San Diego Padres will start a mini two-game series against AL West opponent Seattle Mariners. They ended their series against the Cubs on a positive note and will try and carry that momentum throughout. However, your Friars will look quite different at the top of the lineup. 

Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim will bat leadoff and play shortstop for the Friars on Tuesday, while Austin Nola returns to the lineup and will catch for righty ace Joe Musgrove. 

Today’s lineup for the Padres against the Mariners: pic.twitter.com/TCu9dwsvm9

— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) June 6, 2023

Gary Sanchez won't get the start at catcher, but he will be in the lineup batting at DH and the number five hitter. Sanchez has been on a roll, and even though he's in the lineup, fans aren't too happy with Nola in it.

Nola should be in Double-A.

— Pablo Martinez (@pmartinez1216) June 6, 2023

Guess Sanchez can't catch every day. Nola is a good catcher but can't hit worth a lick. Wonder if Sullivan will replace Nola eventually

— Rama Murty (@Rama_Murty) June 6, 2023

Just keeps rolling Nola out there. Don’t understand. Futility throwing runners out, and driving runners in. Send him down and bring Sullivan up for backup duty.

— MvagustaF4312r (@eroc4774) June 6, 2023

NOLA????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

— Carter J. (@AztecMBBElite) June 6, 2023

As for Kim, this will be his ninth appearance at shortstop, and he can virtually play anywhere in the infield. According to baseball reference, Kim has a 96 fielding percentage at SS in 2023, has tallied a little over 58 innings, and only has one error. 

The Padres will look for their 29th win of the season and inch ever so closer to .500.