Will it be okay like this

Infielder Kim Ha-sung (29, San Diego Padres), who boasted the best defense in the Major League, was unusually criticized by the U.S. media. Since his debut in the big league in 2021, Kim Ha-sung has often attracted attention for his defense parade, but it is unusual for him to make a defensive error.

In the "2024 Major League Baseball" game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego, California on the 22nd (Korea time), Kim started as the eighth hitter and had one hit in four times at bat. Kim's batting average for this season slightly rose to 0.215 while San Diego won the game 9-5, continuing its three-game winning streak. Looking at the results of the game, both Kim and his team had to laugh.

"NBC San Diego," a local media outlet in San Diego, pointed out Kim Ha-sung's error while criticizing the game between San Diego and the Milwaukee Brewers on the 22nd (Korea time). The media said, "San Diego made four defensive errors on the day, and lost Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar, who are the second and third batters in the team and are likely to become All-Stars, to injuries. Kim Ha-sung made two throwing errors, and catcher Kyle Higashioka recorded two batting interruptions," adding, "It was a game that lost a lot even in the victory."스포츠토토사이트

San Diego played a chaotic defense in the top of the fifth inning with a 1-0 lead, and Kim Ha-sung contributed to this. With one out and second base, Jackson Julio sent a ball toward the shortstop. Kim Ha-sung caught a tricky ball well and threw it one-bound to first base, but first baseman Luis Aras couldn't catch it at once and spilled the ball back. Batcher Julio was recorded to have reached base on an infield hit, and Kim Ha-sung's throwing error was recorded as second baseman Tyler Black went to third base. Bryce Turang hit a ground ball to third base in the ensuing crisis of first and third base with one out, but it became 1-1 when third baseman Black's hand hit the home plate first before third baseman Manny Machado's home pitch.

After the chaotic defense of the San Diego infield, the Milwaukee batters began to drive home. With runners at the first and second bases with one out, San Diego starter Dylan Siege allowed William Contreras to hit a timely hit to the right, making the game 1-3. With two outs later, Tom Cosgrove replaced the mound, and Milwaukee's score continued. With the bases loaded with two outs, Rhys Hoskins allowed a timely hit to the third baseman, making the game 1-4. Since Kim Ha-sung's throwing error, four runs have been allowed, and it is fair to say that it was an error that allowed the mood of the game to the opponent team.

Thanks to the explosion of San Diego's batters, Kim was almost the root cause of defeat as he made another mistake here. One out later, Yelich and Willy Adames had consecutive hits, putting the team on the verge of losing the game. Sal Frerich's hit was directed to shortstop Kim Ha-sung. Kim was a little far from the second base, and second baseman Jake Cronenworth was ready to cover the second base, so throwing seemed the norm. However, Kim Ha-sung chose to step on the base himself, and made an error while throwing while avoiding the first baseman's sliding to the second base at a time when the rhythm was not good, contrary to his ambition. With the team failing to deal with a double play, second baseman Yelich turned around the third base and went home, making it 5-5. Kim blamed himself for his play belatedly, but he could not turn the situation around.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, "San Diego immediately blew the lead in the top of the seventh inning. It was not committed by the embattled bullpen. It was because shortstop Kim Ha-sung recorded his second throwing error on the day."

Kim Ha-sung contributed to three runs and a big inning in the bottom of the seventh inning, alleviating the disappointment of his previous error. After one out, Profar opened the door with a double, and Cronenworth hit a timely hit to the left, leading 6-5 again. Later, Machado and Jackson Merrill had a chance to load the bases with one out, and Donovan Solano got a walk to make it 7-5. Luck followed Kim Ha-sung's at-bat. Kim Ha-sung's ball bounced back wide in front of the second baseman Turang, and in the meantime, Kim Ha-sung sprinted to first base and was safe. At this time, third baseman Machado scored and made it 8-5. Kim Ha-sung was recognized for scoring on the base by choosing a fielder, and Machado scored by Turang's error. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Machado hit a timely hit to seal the 9-5 victory.

Last year, Kim Ha-sung won the Gold Glove (National League Utility category) for the first time as an Asian infielder, recognizing his great defense capability in the big league. The U.S. media often pointed out Kim Ha-sung's poor batting since he made his big league debut in 2021, but never his defense. Kim Ha-sung's defense was almost praised because he always saved his team and pitcher from crisis. Even when his batting was up and down, he praised Kim Ha-sung's stable defense and shed light on its value in the big league.

This year, however, is different. Kim has made 10 errors while playing 78 games and 678 ⅔ innings as a shortstop this season. He is tied for second in overall shortstop error in the Major League. Cincinnati shortstop Ellie Dera Cruz topped the list with 15, while Pittsburgh Pirates O'Neill Cruz and St. Louis Cardinals Mashin Win recorded 10 errors along with Kim.

When Kim first played shortstop in 2022, he played 131 games and 1,092 innings, recording eight errors. It is true that he is increasing the number of errors much faster than two years ago. During the three seasons from 2021 to last year, he recorded 186 games and 1,505 ⅓ as a shortstop, with 14 errors. This year, however, he recorded 10 even before the end of the first half, which is suspicious.

The San Diego Padres abruptly appointed Kim Ha-sung as its main shortstop ahead of the season. Most of the analyses by the U.S. media suggested that the strategy was to increase the ransom of Kim Ha-sung, the prospective free agent. They say that even if the club uses Kim Ha-sung as a trade card before the deadline, it will be able to increase his value even if he completely finishes his entire season in San Diego and applies for the FA. The U.S. media expected that if Kim Ha-sung enters the market, he would be expected to sign at least 100 million U.S. dollars, and if he delivers similar results to last year's at shortstop, he would be able to sign a contract worth 200 million dollars, but this year, he has yet to display performance like Kim Ha-sung in both batting and defense.

In any case, Kim Ha-sung was a player who had never had concerns in defense until now. The U.S. media also showed unusual reaction to the unusual pace of error, expressing concern.