Padres News: Ha-Seong Kim Proud of His 2023 Season
While the San Diego Padres season has gone completely the opposite way that anyone in the organization had hoped, there have been some positives from this season. One of those is the year that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim has put together.
He has seen a career year, hitting .268 with 17 home runs and 58 runs batted in. Kim has been the most consistent player on the Padres this season, and it has helped them stay afloat during the year.
The infielder has been happy with his play throughout the year and spoke on that.
“I personally think I did a really good job playing through the season,” said Kim, who is in his third big-league season. “Like comparing my numbers from last year and this year — I ran more, I hit more, I’m playing way more. So, yeah, it’s still tough, but I feel like I did a really good job this year.”
This is his third season in the big leagues, and he has shown that he belongs. It’s been great to see his emergence as an everyday player for San Diego.
“It is really, really long,” he said this week through interpreter Leo Bae. “It’s grinding. So, I try to do everything I can to stay fresh, play at the highest level and try to help the team win. This is my job to stay fresh.”
Kim’s growth this season has made the Padres feel much better about things going forward. Despite the struggles that the team dealt with all year, he has given them something to look forward to for next season.
San Diego will not make the playoffs this year, but the club can take the season from Kim as a calming measure into the offseason. If he can continue to be this consistent presence for this team going forward, they can change the narrative next year.
