San Diego Padres’ Ha-Sung “Awesome Kim” Kim has been named a Gold Glove finalist following his best season since his big league debut.
Major League Baseball (MLB), the official social media platform of Major League Baseball (MLB), today announced the 2023 Rollins Gold Glove American League-National League finalists. With three players competing for the award at each position, Kim Ha-Sung was nominated in the National League Second Baseman-Utility category after excelling on defense this season. Gold Glove voting is based 75% on a vote of each team’s coaching staff and 25% on defensive metrics provided by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). It’s not just the metrics, but the “heart” of the voters that can make the difference.메이저놀이터
In his third year in the big leagues, Kim hit .260 with 140 hits in 538 games, 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, and an OPS of .749, setting career highs in double-digit home runs and stolen bases for the second straight year. He also made his presence felt on defense, making him an indispensable player for his team. Recognized for his defensive prowess, Kim is looking to become the first Korean big leaguer to win a Gold Glove.
His fellow second baseman candidates are Nico Horner (Chicago Cubs) and Bryson Stott (Philadelphia Phillies). Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Tommy Edmon (St. Louis Cardinals), who formed a keystone combination with Ha-Sung Kim at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, are also finalists in the utility category. Betts was also nominated in the right field category, where he faces competition from Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego) and Lane Thomas (Washington Nationals).
The official website of Major League Baseball, MLB. com noted that “Dansby Swanson (Cubs), Xander Bogaerts (San Diego) and Trey Turner (Philadelphia) are among the nominees who moved to second base as their teams acquired big-time shortstops in free agency,” and that “Stott (+16) and Horner (+15) have OAA ratings that rank in the top 10 league-wide, regardless of position, Kim finished the season with a +10 OAA across all positions, including a +7 mark at second base,” said MLB.com of the National League second baseman candidates.
MLB.com also noted that “Betts, a finalist in right field, is the quintessential full-time right fielder, moving around the diamond to help power the Dodgers’ infield. In addition to 107 games in right field, he played 70 games at second base and 16 games at shortstop, posting a Defensive Run Saved (DRS) of +10.” “Edmon, the 2021 National League Gold Glove winner at second base, also showed his versatility, posting an OAA of +10, while Kim, also a finalist for second base this year, played 32 and 20 games at third base and shortstop, respectively, and 106 games at second base. He also finished the season with an OAA of +10.”
The competition is likely to be fierce. According to Baseball Reference, a major league statistics site, Horner (+11), who played 1167 innings, is the top National League second baseman based on DRS alone, followed by Kim (+10), who played 856⅔ innings. Stott, with 1294⅓ innings, is at +7. According to FanGraphs, another statistical site, Horner is +11, Kim +11, and Stott +7. It’s worth noting that Kim has played relatively few innings at second base compared to the two players who have played over 1000 innings at the position.
But that doesn’t mean he’s out of the running for the award. Kim is better than ever, and he’s in a league of his own. In particular, he has captured the attention of fans with his wide defensive range and reliable catching ability, and has been praised by local media and experts throughout the season.
Last month, Kim was ranked as the No. 1 defensive second baseman in the National League, ahead of Nico Horner (Chicago Cubs) and A.J. Albies (Atlanta Braves) in a survey of managers, scouts, and officials by Baseball America (BA). This was significant because it meant that the “experts” in Major League Baseball recognized his potential and ability. In the Gold Glove voting process, coaching staff votes count for a whopping 75% of the vote, which is a positive for Kim.
Later in the season, Kim was also mentioned in MLB.com’s article on the best second baseman of the season. MLB.com wrote, “Kim is the most valuable player on the team, and he’s playing solid defense. He set career highs in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS, and home runs,” highlighting his season.
Kim himself wants to win a Gold Glove. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want it,” he said, “I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I’m looking forward to it.” He returned home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on Nov. 11. It will be interesting to see if he can fulfill his wish.
Meanwhile, the winner of the 2023 Gold Glove will be announced on ESPN on June 6. Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, who partnered with the “Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin late in the season, is also in the running for the American League Gold Glove catcher award. Here are the Gold Glove finalists for each position in both leagues.
American League Gold Glove Finalists.
-Catcher: Jonah Heim, Alejandro Kirk, Adley Rutchman
-First basemen: Nathaniel Lowe, Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Rizzo
-First basemen: Mauricio Dubon, Andres Jimenez, Marcus Simeon
-Third baseman: Alex Bregman, Matt Chapman, Jose Ramirez
-Shortstops: Carles Correa, Corey Seager, Anthony Wolfe
-Left fielders: Austin Hays, Stephen Kwan, Dalton Bashaw
-Center fielders: Kevin Kiermaier, Luis Robert Jr. and Julio Rodriguez
-Right field: Adolis Garcia, Kyle Tucker, Alex Verdugo
-Pitchers: Jose Berrios, Sonny Gray, Pablo Lopez, etc.
-Utility: Mauricio Dubon, Zach McKinstry, Taylor Walls
National League Gold Glove Finalists
-Catchers: Patrick Bailey, Gabriel Moreno, J.T. Realmuto
-First basemen: Freddie Freeman, Carlos Santana, Christian Walker
-Second baseman: Nico Horner, Ha Sung Kim, Bryson Stott
-Third baseman: Keebrean Hayes, Ryan McMahon, Austin Riley
-First baseman: Francisco Lindor, Dansby Swanson, Ezekiel Tova
-Left fielders: Ian Happ, David Peralta, Eddie Rosario, etc.
-Center field: Brenton Doyle, Michael Harris II, Alec Thomas
-Right field: Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Lane Thomas
-Pitchers: Jesus Lizardo, Taijuan Walker, Zack Wheeler
-Utility: Mookie Betts, Tommy Edmon, Ha-Sung Kim