Kim Ha Sung’s streak of Awesome Kim continues.
Kim Ha-seong started at first base and went 2-for-5 with a home run and a stolen base in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park in San Diego, California, U.S., on June 26 (Korean time).
After a multi-homer game the day before, Kim continued his hot hitting.
After pinch-hitting in the outfield in the first and second innings, Kim led off the bottom of the fifth inning by pulling a three-pitch changeup from Pittsburgh starter Rich Hill over the shortstop’s head.
After stealing second on a Fernando Tatis Jr. single, Kim stole third on a double steal for his 19th stolen base of the season.
In his fourth at-bat in the bottom of the seventh, he hit a five-pitch slider up the middle from reliever Yelide Los Santos.
With his 14th home run of the season, Kim has now hit 10 home run arches in the last month. At his current pace, he could reach 22 home runs. And with his 19th stolen base of the season, he’s on pace to reach the 20-steal plateau.스포츠토토
San Diego Padres infielder Ha Sung Kim, right, celebrates with teammate Manny Machado after hitting a home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
At this rate, he’s well on his way to becoming the first Asian infielder to join the 20-20 club (20 home runs and 20 doubles).
Now, Kim is looking to surpass the 20-20 club and challenge Shin-Soo Choo’s record of 22 home runs and 22 doubles set in 2010.
At the time, Shin-Soo Choo was considered an icon of the outfield and signed a seven-year, $130 million contract with the Texas Rangers for the 2014 season.
Kim’s contract with San Diego runs through next season (four years, $28 million).
With his Golden Glove-worthy defense and consistent power at the plate, Kim should be able to rack up a nice contract.