Padres Star Cracks MLB Top 100 List for First Time in Career
The 2023 season was one to forget for the San Diego Padres. The team missed the playoffs after a historic 2022 run, even with a star-studded squad. For all that went wrong for the team, most of it didn't apply to versatile infielder Ha-Seong Kim.
Kim's 2023 season was the best of his young major league career, and his game did not go unnoticed. Kim has been named into the Top 100 players at number 88, revealed this week on MLB Network's annual countdown of the game's best players right now.
It is the first time in Kim's career that he has made the MLB's Top 100 list — and deservedly so.
In 2023, Kim recorded career highs all across the board. The 28-year-old infielder slashed .260/.351/.398 with a .749 OPS, to go along with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Not only was he spectacular with the bat, but he was just as great in the infield. He spent the majority of his time at second base, where he recorded a fielding percentage of .991, 166 putouts, 269 assists, and only four errors in 856.2 innings.
The season resulted in some downballot MVP votes and a Gold Glove, making him the first Korean-born player to win the award given to Major League Baseball's best fielders.
Kim will look for an even better 2024 season. This time, though, he won't fly under the radar.
