He achieved a record in the American Major League that was not possible even in Korea. Ha-Seong Kim (28, San Diego Padres) completed his first 35-steal season in his career. As an aside, he is expected to surpass 40 stolen bases, something only Japanese Ichiro Suzuki (50)메이저놀이터 has achieved as an Asian player.
Ha-seong Kim hit a left-field hit in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 12th (Korean time) and then stole second base. When Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone threw to first base twice and was restricted from checking pitches, Ha-seong Kim ran to second base and reached the base first while catcher Will Smith’s throw went in one bound. 35th stolen base of the season.
The local San Diego broadcaster said, “While Ha-seong Kim reached second base, the throw was not made in time. Ha-seong Kim stole another base. “I like the aggressive play from the beginning,” he praised.
Ichiro is the only Asian player to achieve 40 stolen bases, and Kim Ha-seong is close to -5.
Ha-seong Kim’s 35 stolen bases are 8th overall in the Major League and 5th in the National League (NL), which is the first record on the team. Mathematically, he is on pace for 39 stolen bases in the remaining 17 games, but with a little more strength, he could surpass 40 stolen bases. The stolen base pace in September is good.
In September, his batting pace dropped to a batting average of 1.95 li (8 hits in 41 at-bats) and an on-base percentage of 2.67 ri in 10 games, but he succeeded in stealing 6 bases. There were no failures during this period. He also failed to steal 8 bases this season, reaching a success rate of 81.4%. Success rate slightly above the league average.
[Photo] San Diego Kim Ha-seong. ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
[Photo] Ichiro Suzuki during his time in Seattle. ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
Among Asian players, Japanese outfielder Ichiro is the only player to record more than 40 stolen bases in the major leagues. Ichiro, who ranked first in the American League (AL) with 56 steals since his first year of debut in 2001, had a total of five 40-steal seasons with 45 in 2006, 43 in 2008, 42 in 2010, and 40 in 2011, all with the Seattle Mariners. I did it.
Except for Ichiro and Kim Ha-seong, there is no Asian player who has stolen more than 35 bases. As Japanese players, Colorado Rockies infielder Kazuo Matsui stole 32 bases in 2007 and Norichika Aoki of the Milwaukee Brewers stole 30 bases in 2012, but fell short of 40 bases.
Ha-Seong Kim is personally recording more stolen bases than during his KBO League days. Kim Ha-seong, who had two 20-20 seasons during his time with Kiwoom Heroes and showed himself as a hot shortstop, had a personal record of 33 stolen bases in 2019.
[Photo] San Diego Kim Ha-seong (right). ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
[Photo] San Diego Kim Ha-seong (right). ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
The effect of the ML rule change, the hidden credit that Ha-seong Kim was grateful for was the ‘assistant director’
Starting this year, Ha-Seong Kim is taking advantage of the effects of changes in major league regulations. To increase speed and provide more excitement, the Major League introduced a pitch clock and expanded the size of the first, second, and third bases (excluding home plate) from 15 inches square (38.1 cm) to 18 inches (45.7 cm), and the distance between bases was also increased. The area between 1st and 2nd base and 2nd and 3rd base has become 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) shorter.
The number of times a pitcher can be checked was limited to two per at-bat. If the runner is not caught on the third attempt, it is considered a balk. Even the pitcher taking his foot off the pitching board was considered a checking action, creating an environment that was absolutely advantageous to the runner. Throughout the league, stolen base attempts (1.36 → 1.79), stolen base successes (1.02 → 1.43), and stolen base success rates (75.4% → 80.1%) all increased significantly compared to the previous year.
There are also hidden contributors. According to a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune on the 9th, Ha-seong Kim said, “Stealing bases cannot be done alone. “Thank you to the coaching staff and assistant coach Ryan Christensen,” he said. “It’s thanks to everyone’s efforts.” “He provides information about pitchers on the staff and helps make stealing bases much easier.” Coach Bob Melvin praised Ha-seong Kim, saying, “Ha-seong Kim has excellent instincts in the way he plays the game.”
Assistant Manager Christensen, who is helping Ha-seong Kim steal bases, was born in 1974 and was an outfielder during his active career. He debuted with the Oakland Athletics in 1998, then played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers, recording 16 stolen bases in 452 games over 6 seasons until 2003.
Although he was not a player specializing in stealing bases, he began his leadership career as a manager in the Oakland minor league in 2013, and moved up to the major leagues as a bench coach in Oakland in 2018. From this time on, he has been with coach Melvin for six years. Last year, he followed coach Melvin to the San Diego team as bench coach, and this year he was promoted to assistant coach and is assisting coach Melvin. /waw@osen.co.kr
[Photo] San Diego Associate Director Ryan Christensen. ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
[Photo] Ryan Christensen during his time as an Auckland player. ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)