An unexplained abdominal pain is holding back the San Diego second baseman’s chance to make history.
San Diego Padres’ South Korean major leaguer Kim Ha-seong, 28, is out again. Kim took a break during the 2023 Major League Baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, on April 19 (KST).굿모닝토토
The reason: abdominal pain. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Kim said, “The team’s medical staff says it’s not a big deal, but I’ve had a similar pain for a few days now. I’m still waiting for the medical team’s opinion. Unfortunately, I don’t feel good right now,” he said.
At the moment, Kim is still waiting for an official diagnosis and is not on the injured list, so it’s hard to know the extent of his injury and when he will be able to play again.
The regular season is coming to a close. San Diego has already played 151 games. There are only 11 games left.
This year, Kim has shown remarkable growth at the plate. With a .265 batting average, .356 on-base percentage, .407 slugging percentage, and .764 OPS, along with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases, Kim needs just three more home runs to join the 20-homer, 20-steal club and four more stolen bases to become just the second Asian major leaguer ever to reach 40. To date, Ichiro Suzuki remains the only Asian major leaguer to record a 40-steal season. Ichiro has had five seasons of 40+ steals in his career.
He also has a chance to make San Diego second baseman history. No other San Diego second baseman has ever joined the 20-homer, 20-steal club.
Only 10 San Diego players have ever joined the 20-homer, 20-double club. Dave Winfield became the first member of the 20-20 club in 1978 with 24 homers and 21 doubles, and then again in 1980 with 20 homers and 23 doubles.
Joe Carter followed Winfield with 24 homers and 22 steals in 1990, Derek Bell with 21 homers and 26 steals in 1993, Steve Finley with 30 homers and 22 steals in 1996, Reggie Sanders with 26 homers and 36 steals in 1999, and Ryan Klesko with 26 homers and 23 steals in 2000 followed by 30 homers and 23 steals in 2001, Mike Cameron had 22 homers and 25 steals in 2006, Will Venable had 22 homers and 22 steals in 2013, Will Myers had 28 homers and 28 steals in 2016 and 30 homers and 20 steals in 2017, and Fernando Tatis Jr. had 25 homers and 27 steals this year after 42 homers and 25 steals in 2021.
None of them played second base. Tatis Jr. is a case of a converted outfielder this year, but he was primarily a shortstop in 2021.
Ha-Sung Kim has already been mentioned as a candidate for the National League Gold Glove at second base for his defense. Coincidentally, San Diego has never had a second baseman win a Gold Glove since its inception.
Pitcher Greg Maddux (2007), catcher Benito Santiago (1988, 1989, 1990), first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (2008, 2009), third basemen Ken Caminiti (1995, 1996, 1997) and Chase Headley (2012), shortstop Ajie Smith (1980, 1981), and outfielders Winfield (1979, 1980), Tony Gwynn (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991), Cameron (2006), and Trent Grisham (2020, 2022), the only position that hasn’t been honored is second base. This year, Kim has a chance to make history as the first San Diego second baseman to win the award.
As MLB.com recently wrote, “Kim could win the Gold Glove as a second baseman or as the best utility player. Although he has played primarily at second base, he has also excelled at third base and shortstop,” introducing Kim as a Gold Glove candidate.
This year, Kim started 99 games at second base, 31 at third base, and 18 at shortstop. Major League Baseball has also been awarding the Gold Glove to the utility player with the best defense for the past year. Last year’s inaugural winners were Brendan Donovan (St. Louis Cardinals) in the National League and DJ LeMay (New York Yankees) in the American League. If Kim were to win the Gold Glove as a utility player, it would make San Diego history. Will he be able to shake off the stomach bug and finish the rest of the season on track?