Correspondent Lee Sang-hee] Kim Ha-seong 토스카지노(28, San Diego) is enjoying his best performance since entering the major leagues, and the local media in the United States have been showering him with praise. This time, even the legendary British rock band, the Rolling Stones, has been summoned.

“When he steps up to the plate, the crowd chants his name as loudly as if it were a Rolling Stones concert in the 1970s,” said Divine Sports Gospel, a US online media outlet. “Some fans try to judge his value based on his OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) alone, but that’s the wrong way to look at it,” it said.

“Wherever he plays in the defence, he is amazing and helps the team whenever they need him. He is always ready and gives 110 per cent of his ability.”

Kim Ha-seong in defence. /AFPBBNews=News1
After reaching the major leagues in 2021, Kim played in 117 games in his first year, batting .202 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs. His OPS wasn’t much better at 0.622. This was not what fans expected from a player who represented the Korean Professional Baseball League.

“When Shohei Ohtani (29-LA Angels) first came to the major leagues, he needed time to adjust to the new league,” then San Diego manager Jayson Tingler (53) told Star News. “Kim Ha-seong may have a difficult time adjusting to the new environment at first, but I expect him to perform well after the adjustment period, just like Ohtani did. He has the ability to do that.”

Kim Ha-seong (right) celebrates after hitting a home run. /AFPBBNews=News1
His prediction has come true this season.

As of 24 April, Kim is batting .267 with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs and 18 doubles in 95 games this season. He also has an OPS of 0.784. His batting average, home runs, stolen bases, and OPS are all career highs in the major leagues. If he can keep up this pace through the end of the season, he could break the record for most home runs in a season by a Korean major league infielder (21), set by Kang Jung-ho (36-retired) in 2016. The record for most home runs in a season by a Korean is 24, set by Choo Shin-soo (41-SSG) in 2019.

Kim’s OPS+ (which adjusts OPS for park factors and scales the league average to 100) is 120. Typically, an OPS+ of 125 is considered an All-Star calibre player. His WAR, which measures wins above replacement, is a whopping 4.8.

Kim Ha-Sung, San Diego. /AFPBBNews=News1
“He is the most underrated player in the major leagues,” the outlet said, “He always has a smile on his face for the fans, which is why the fans and all his teammates love him. He always works hard in practice,” and also praised his humanity and sincerity.

Fans responded to the media’s praise of Kim in the comments, saying they “totally agree” with it. Some fans even wrote, “Kim Ha-seong should be San Diego’s next extension. Kim signed a four-year, $39 million contract with San Diego in 2021.