“Short stop, number seven Ha Sung-Kim”.
It was the opening game of the 2024 Major League Baseball exhibition game at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona, USA, on March 23 (KST). In the bottom of the second inning, Kim was introduced by the public address announcer, and the San Diego fans in the stadium, centered around the first-base dugout, erupted in applause and cheers.
Kim, who made his debut in San Diego in 2021, has been loved by the home fans for his hustle play. Whenever he comes out, the crowd’s three-syllable chant of “Ha Sung Kim” is heard, and it was heard a bit on this day.
As soon as the cheers ended, Kim took a fastball from Dodgers right-hander Michael Grove that was right in the middle of the zone and hit a line drive to left-center field. Once again, the applause was for Kim.
In his second at-bat of the fourth inning, he drew a six-pitch full-count walk against left-hander Alex Vecchia. 안전놀이터 He didn’t swing at any of the six pitches, just watched and stole first base.
After reaching base in just two at-bats and being replaced by Mason McCoy in the bottom of the fifth inning,
Kim spoke to the Korean media.
“In my first at-bat, I tried to hit aggressively, and in my second at-bat, I went in with the idea of seeing the ball in my first at-bat, and I think it was fine as planned. My batting is the same without any changes. I’m focusing on what I did well last year,” he said, adding, “Even if it’s an exhibition game, there are nerves and things like that, so my body is a little tired.”
The exhibition games were moved up a few days due to the start of the MLB World Tour Seoul Series at the Gocheok Sky Dome next month on the 20th and 21st, and the camp period was somewhat shortened, but Kim took it positively. He said, “There are a lot of exhibition games left, so I think I just need to continue to adjust my physical condition and work hard. I think it’s good to have a shorter camp. I think it’s good for me to have a short camp because I have to come out early in the morning to fulfill my schedule, so if it’s a long camp, it’s hard, but I think it’s okay to have a short camp.”
He also played shortstop defense for the first time in a while. “It’s a position I’ve been playing for a long time, and I’m used to it, so I’m comfortable with it. I didn’t feel any different,” he said, adding, “I think I’ll have to work on my arm because the throwing distance is a bit longer at shortstop.”
Kim was mainly batting first last year, but it was also noticeable that he batted fifth today.
Kim said, “I don’t mind batting in any order. I think I can do my best to fulfill my role,” he said, adding, “I would be lying if I said I didn’t have physical problems while batting first last year. I think I’m well prepared for that, and I think I’ll be able to handle it.”
Kim, who ended the first day of the exhibition game with a multi-hit game amid cheers from the fans, 카지노사이트 추천 said, “I’m thankful that the San Diego fans always support me and call my name a lot.” He also said, “I think it’s good to have a 100 percent fielding percentage. I’ve prepared well for the camp, so I’ll do my best to stay injury-free and control my physical condition.”
San Diego will play the second game of the exhibition series at Camelback Ranch in Glendale on April 24. Kim will not travel with the team, but will remain in Peoria to train.