Padres News: 2 Friars Stars Among Top NL MVP Candidates, Including One Surprising Choice
When looking at the entire season, it's been a bitter disappointment for the San Diego Padres.
Coming into 2023 with a roster laden with All-Star talent, the Friars were expected to contend in the NL West, and potentially be players when it came to getting to the World Series -- a place the Padres haven't seen since 1998.
But instead they sit four games out of a playoff spot, and they're trying to turn it all around as the season's homestretch approaches.
It isn't all bad for the Padres, though, as two Friars were named among the contenders for the NL Most Valuable Player Award, per MLB.com.
Padres left fielder Juan Soto being included on the list isn't a surprise, as he's continued to be one of the league's top hitters this year.
He has a slash line of .276/.419/.523 on the season along with 24 homers, and has been a reliable presence in the heart of San Diego's lineup. Him showing plate discipline with 99 walks as of Tuesday afternoon isn't bad either.
The other Friar included is a surprise.
Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim received MVP votes in MLB.com's poll, and even though his name may not jump out at you, he's had a quality year in San Diego.
Kim is set to establish career highs in multiple categories this year. He's already hit a career best 15 home runs this year, and he's hitting .288 along with an .838 OPS in 2023. Those latter two numbers are 37 and 130 points hire than his previous highs, set last season. His slick glove work has also helped out the Friars' infield as well.
In a year where San Diego's played far below their expectations, Soto and Kim have served as a pair of silver linings, and hopefully for them, they can close their seasons out on a high note.
