MLB.com Kim Ha-seong, The Best Free Agent

MLB.com “Kim Ha-seong, The Best Free Agent in the Utility Sector Next Off-Season”

Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres), who will qualify as a free agent (FA) after the 2024 season, was selected as the biggest player in the utility category.

On the 18th (Korean time), MLB.com selected the top 12 free agents by position for the next off-season.

Kim Ha-seong, who does not discriminate between positions,

was proudly listed in the utility category. 파워볼

MLB.com said, “Ha-Sung Kim can play elite defense at any position.

He could have been listed as a second baseman or shortstop on this list,” and “It is difficult to know where the team that will sign Ha-Sung Kim for the 2025 season will place him.” explained.

Last year, Ha-seong Kim played 856⅔ innings as a second baseman,

253⅓ innings as a third baseman, and 153⅓ innings as a shortstop, and was awarded the Gold Glove Award in the utility category in recognition of his defensive skills.

He was selected early on as the starting shortstop this year, pushing Sander Bohartz to second base.

MLB.com commented, “Ha-seong Kim has advanced in offense since entering the major leagues,” adding, “Although he does not produce a lot of hard contact,

he has become a player who shows above-average offensive power by lowering his strikeout rate and increasing his walk rate.”

Ha-seong Kim recorded a batting average of 0.260, 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.749 last year.

MLB.com added, “Kim Ha-seong made good use of the new rules (such as increasing the size of the base) and succeeded in stealing 38 bases last year.”

Ha-seong Kim signed a 4+1 year contract worth up to $39 million with San Diego in 2021.

Although a mutual option is included for the 2025 season,

it is unlikely that Kim Ha-seong, whose price has risen through the roof, will exercise the option.

The Athletic predicted the size of Kim Ha-seong’s free agent contract to be ‘an annual average of $20 million, with a total value of more than $100 million.’