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Major League Baseball’s Ha-Sung Kim of the San Diego Padres has been nominated for a Silver Slugger Award, which recognizes position-specific hitting.토토사이트
He’s already been nominated for a Gold Glove, which honors the best defensive player, so he’s been recognized as a “fielding general” in the big leagues.
[Reporter]
Kim Ha-seong catches a 156-kilometer-per-hour fastball and clears the fence.
Whether it’s a fastball or a changeup, Kim hasn’t been shy about his pitches this season.
He’s even hit home runs with his so-called “knee-shooting swing,” which involves hitting a fastball while kneeling down.
In his third year in the big leagues, Ha-Sung Kim had his best hitting season yet.
Today, he was recognized for his performance by being nominated for the Silver Slugger Award, which recognizes the best hitter by position.
He’s up against the likes of superstar Mookie Betts in the utility category, which recognizes players who play multiple positions.
While his chances of winning aren’t great, it’s significant that Kim has finally been recognized as a big league player on offense.
His defense is already well-regarded.
Previously, Kim was a finalist for the Gold Glove, which is awarded to the best defender, for the second year in a row.
His fantastic defense while playing multiple infield positions makes him a strong candidate for the second base and utility categories.
[Ha Sung Kim / San Diego (last month)]
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t greedy (for the Gold Glove). I don’t know how it’s going to turn out, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The Silver Slugger and Gold Glove are determined through a combination of manager and coach votes and statistical metrics, all of which will be announced next week.
If Kim wins either award, he will become the first Korean to do so.
The only other Asian player to win both awards in the same year is “genius hitter” Ichiro.