Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres) was in and out of the lineup. Kim started at third base in the No. 7 spot for the San Diego Padres against the Washington Nationals in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sept. 26 (ET), but was removed after his first at-bat in the top of the second inning.
Trailing 0-1 with two outs in the top of the second inning. He reacted to a 94-mph fastball in the zone from Washington starter Jake Irvin and reached for his bat. But the pitch hit him in the knee, which is often what happens when you pull on a fastball.
The problem was that the pitch was too hard. Kim fell to the ground and never got back into the batter’s box. He had to be helped off the field by the team’s trainers. X-rays came back negative, but the San Diego media made a big deal out of it, and local fans were very worried.
At this point, the San Diego infield relies heavily on Kim, who can play all positions. Starting third baseman Manny Machado is on the disabled list with a fractured metatarsal in his hand. Starting second baseman Ha Sung Kim is playing third base like he did two years ago. Jake Cronenwirth has moved to second base and Lugnard O’Dowd has been utilized more.
The absence of Kim leaves a huge hole in the lineup. At the plate, Kim’s numbers are unimpressive, hitting .237 with 36 doubles, five home 안전놀이터 runs, 16 RBIs, 15 runs scored, and a .698 OPS in 47 games. However, his defense is already recognized as one of the best in the majors. With the team’s bats struggling to break out of their inexplicable collective slump, a weakened infield defense would be extremely damaging to San Diego. For now, Kim is unlikely to be placed on the disabled list, but he could miss a game or two right away.
As MLB.com put it, “As ugly as it was, San Diego appears to have avoided disaster in the infield.” “Kim is a great defender anywhere in the infield. He was the starting second baseman and moved to third in Machado’s absence.”
The Athletic said of the San Diego infield without Kim, “It’s another significant blow to an already questionable depth. O’Dowd’s playing time increased after Ha Sung Kim moved from second to third with Machado’s injury, and Matt Carpenter could see a lot of time at first base.”
