There are many different ways that different players can produce long balls. Some players, like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, can score runs in a single at-bat with a home run, while others are middle-of-the-order hitters who can steal second base.안전놀이터
There are also players who steal second base with their feet after getting on base with a single or walk. While it doesn’t officially count as a steal, it has the same effect as a steal in that it gets the player to second or third base. It’s a risky play, but the rewards of harassing the pitcher at first base can’t be ignored. Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego) demonstrated this on Tuesday (July 10).
Starting at first base and batting second against Seattle at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington on Tuesday, Kim went 1-for-3 with a home run, one walk, one strikeout, one run scored, and three stolen bases. While the performance was overshadowed by the team’s 1-6 record, it was clear that Kim was still producing good offensive production and proving his worth as the team’s leadoff man.
An unfortunate strikeout the previous day (Sept. 9) ended his streak of 15 consecutive games with two or more hits. This was the longest streak in the major leagues this season, and he was one game away from breaking Ichiro Suzuki’s Asian record (15 games). However, Kim Ha-seong was unfazed and took the field as if he were taking revenge for the previous day’s call, and energized his team’s offense.
From the first inning, he took the spirit out of the Seattle battery. He drew a walk to start the game against Seattle starter Emerson Hancock, who was making his big league debut. Picked up three consecutive pitches from 1B-1S. He looked completely confident and calm at the plate, which is exactly what he’s been doing lately.
His best at-bat came in the next at-bat. He stole second base with his foot on the next batter, Tatis Jr. It was his 25th stolen base of the season, a perfect start. Then, with runners on first and second, he stole third again on Soto’s at-bat to record his 26th stolen base of the season.
In fact, with Soto at the plate and runners in scoring position, it was a better option to stay at second base unless there was a clear cut. The Seattle Battery was caught off guard, but Kim took advantage of the gap and slid into third base as if he knew they weren’t paying attention to him. Kim’s focus continued to shine. On Soto’s grounder, he chose to dash for home and slid home on a head-first slide. The pitcher, Hancock, gave up the run.
In his second at-bat of the inning, Kim lined a four-pitch sinker up the middle. It extended his hitting streak to 15 games. Then he used his feet again to rattle Seattle. With one out, he stole second base again, his 27th stolen base of the season. Although he was unable to score on the ensuing hit, it was a play that must have frustrated the Seattle battery.
Kim didn’t get any more hits on the day, but he still had a solid game with two walks and three stolen bases. Having already broken the record for most stolen bases in a season by a South Korean player, Kim is now within striking distance of the Asian infielder record of 32 stolen bases set by Kazuo Matsui in 2007. Given the number of games he has left to play and his ability to get on base and steal bases, he has a good chance of breaking that record as well.
He is also setting several club records. For starters, the 15-game hitting streak is something that hasn’t been accomplished by a San Diego player since Matt Kemp in 2015. Kim did it. It’s also a San Diego franchise record this season.
He also became the first San Diego player to have two or more runs and three or more stolen bases in the same game. The most recent record was set by Fernando Tatis Jr. on April 20, 2019, against Cincinnati, a feat that Kim repeated four years later. Although the stolen bases are somewhat less difficult than they were back then, it’s hard not to feel his explosive energy.
However, even with Kim’s surge, the San Diego offense hasn’t been able to catch fire due to a serious slump from Tatis Jr. In his last 15 games, Tatis is batting just .192 with a .241 on-base percentage. In his last seven games, he is 2-for-28 (.071) with a 0.133 OPS. Tatis Jr. needs to step up to the plate to create synergy with Kim, and he hasn’t. The club is frustrated, too.
Tatis Jr. hasn’t had much luck lately. He’s been hitting good pitches deep into the outfield, but they’re either getting caught in front of the fence or hitting the ground in the outfielders’ laps. Tatis Jr.’s batting average, which was tied for the team lead with Kim, contrasts with Kim’s (.288), which has fallen to .256 in his recent slump. It’s been a frustrating time for San Diego, even without Kim’s play.