"Junghoo, Hyesung is coming soon!" Kim Ha-sung is expected to return to ML on the 17th, multi-hit → including a triple A double
"Junghoo, Hyesung is coming soon!" Kim Ha-sung is expected to return to ML on the 17th, multi-hit → including a triple A double
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Tampa Bay Rays infielder Kim Ha-sung played a multi-hit game in eight games, including a double in the Triple-A rehabilitation game. Kim Ha-sung is expected to be able to return to the major league stage on the 17th.
Kim Ha-sung, who plays for Triple-A Durham Bulls under Tampa Bay, started as the second batter shortstop in an away game against Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (a triple-A team under the Miami Marlins) at Vista Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida on the 8th (Korea time), and recorded 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 walk, and 1 stolen base in 3 at-bats.
On this day, Kim Ha-sung entered his first at-bat after one out in the top of the first inning and met the opposing starting pitcher, right-hander Tanok, and retired with a first baseman foul fly ball on the sinker in the fourth pitch.
In the top of the third inning, he met Tanok again at his second batter's box with two outs and a runner on the first base, and hit a slider at 84.8 miles per hour on the second pitch. However, he failed to score a point due to a failed follow-up hitter.
In the top of the sixth inning, Kim Ha-sung met Simpson, a left-hander who changed from a chance to hit a third base with no outs, and hit a double on the left-field line by targeting the 5th 87.6 miles per hour sweeper (140 kilometers per hour) after a full count match. Kim Ha-sung immediately stole the third base, and then homered when he hit a follow-up hitter to score a point.
Kim Ha-sung came out as the leadoff hitter at bat for the fourth time in the top of the eighth inning and walked to complete the game on the third base. However, the follow-up hitter failed to lead to additional runs.
Kim Ha-sung, who has been in the Triple-A rehabilitation game since the 27th of last month, has played multi-hit games in eight games since the first game on the 27th. Kim Ha-sung, who started his first long hit in the rehabilitation game with a double in the game on the 6th, seems to be on the verge of a Major League call-up as he gradually raises his batting sense.
Kim Ha-sung played in nine Triple-A games and recorded a batting average of 0.172, five hits, four RBIs, four walks, two steals, a on-base percentage of 0.278 and a slugging percentage of 0.241.
Kim Ha-sung's return to the Major League is expected to be in mid-June. In a recent interview with a Tampa Bay podcast, Tampa Bay's general manager Eric Nieder said, "There is nothing to worry about about Kim Ha-sung's rehabilitation process so far. There is a possibility that he will play in the Major League in time for the upcoming game against Baltimore from the 17th to the 19th."
The Tampa Bay team will invite Baltimore to its home stadium and play three consecutive games from Thursday. Kim Ha-sung is also likely to make his debut in front of his home fans.
Meanwhile, before the 2021 season, Kim Ha-sung signed with the San Diego Padres through the posting system to advance to the U.S. Major League stage. After wearing his San Diego uniform, Kim Ha-sung played in 540 big league games until last year and recorded a batting average of 0.242, 418 hits, 47 homers, 200 RBIs, 78 steals, and OPS (On base rate + slugging rate) of 0.706. In 2023, he also won the Gold Glove National League Utility category.
Kim Ha-sung, who suffered a shoulder injury in August last year, even underwent surgery to suture his shoulder joints, ending the 2024 season early. However, Kim Ha-sung proceeded without delaying his application for FA qualification after the end of the 2024 season. 안전놀이터
Kim Ha-sung signed a contract with Tampa Bay on February 4 after a long thought. The terms of the contract are up to 31 million dollars for two years. The details of the contract are a two-year, $29 million guarantee contract, and Kim Ha-sung will receive 13 million dollars (about 17.6 billion won) and 16 million dollars (about 21.7 billion won) in annual salary in 2025 and 2026, respectively. If he fills 325 at-bats this year, he will receive an additional 2 million dollars (about 2.7 billion won). The contract also includes an opt-out clause after the end of the 2025 season.
Kim Ha-sung joined the team from the spring camp and focused on rehabilitation, and has been preparing for his debut in Tampa Bay by playing Triple-A rehabilitation games since the end of last month.