San Diego Padres' Kim Ha-seong (28) expressed his honest feelings about giving up the shortstop position.

On the 20th, Kim held a press conference to receive the Gold Glove at Hotel Rivera in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, and said, "I am honored to be the first Korean to receive the Gold Glove. I'm glad that I've been an inspiration to many youth players and players who are playing in the KBO."

Kim, who played for the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes from 2014 to 2020, batted .294 with 133 home runs, 575 RBIs, 606 runs scored, 134 doubles, and an .866 OPS in 891 games (3,195 at-bats, 940 hits), used his success in South Korea to land a four-year, $28 million guaranteed contract with San Diego.

Kim began his big league career in 2021, and struggled a bit in his first year. But last year, with Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego) suffering a wrist injury and serving an 80-game suspension for a PED violation, he was given the opportunity to step into the starting shortstop role, and he took advantage of it, batting .251 (130-for-517) with 11 home runs, 59 RBI, 58 runs scored, 12 doubles, and a .708 OPS in 150 games.

After establishing himself as a solid starter in San Diego, Kim had his best season of the year. At the plate, he batted .538 (140-for-538) with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 84 runs scored, 38 doubles, and a .749 OPS in 152 games, while defensively, he anchored the Padres' infield, splitting time between second base, shortstop, and third base.

For his performance, Kim was a finalist for the Gold Glove National League Shortstop award last year, and this year he was a finalist for the Gold Glove National League Second Base and Utility awards. He beat out Mookie Betts (Dodgers) and Tommy Edmon (St. Louis) in the Utility category to become the first Asian infielder to win a Gold Glove. It is the first Gold Glove for a Korean player and the second for an Asian player, joining Ichiro Suzuki (2001-2010).

"Last year, I was also a finalist in the shortstop category," said Kim. I didn't win then, so this year I was sleeping at home when the award ceremony was held. My phone vibrated so loudly that when I looked at it later, I realized I had won. The second baseman category was announced first and the utility category was announced last, so if I had been watching it live, I would have been nervous. I'm glad I was sleeping. I think it would have been better if I won both. Personally, I would have loved to have gotten the utility award, because second base is great, but I don't know what the utility position used to be like, but the value of multiplayer is so much higher now."

On defense, Kim, who has been recognized as one of the best utility players in the majors, said it wasn't easy for him to give up shortstop because of the team's situation. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel pressure when I changed positions," he said. "I wasn't in a position to choose a position. I told the club that playing time was more important than position and that I would do my best wherever I could. With the help of the coaching staff and the players around me, I think I was able to perform not badly as a second baseman." 카지노사이트가이드

In high school and in the KBO, Kim often had to play other positions due to team circumstances. "I actually hated it. I didn't like the idea of playing multiple positions," he said. "In high school and in the pros, I only wanted to play shortstop. In high school, I saw third base and first base because of the team situation, and in the pros, I was in a situation where I was playing third base. I hated it at the time, but I didn't know that those experiences would help me so much in the major leagues. Looking back, I think those feelings and times that I hated at the time were a huge stepping stone for my growth."

Kim, who played 106 games (856⅔ innings) at second base, 32 games (253⅓ innings) at third base, and 20 games (153⅓ innings) at shortstop this season, said, "I think third base is the most difficult. The balls are so fast. I think third base is a position that requires handling. You can't see the angle of the batter's hit as well as shortstop or second baseman. It's a position I don't play very often, so I feel nervous when I go out there, and it takes a lot of concentration."

"I know there are a lot of different defensive indicators," Kim said of his defense. I'd be lying if I said I didn't check them. I check everything. However, at the end of the season, my batting pace dropped, so I didn't pay much attention to my defense. I'm not sure which ones are important. I think everything should be good," he said. "Defensively, I thought I had a good shoulder, so I was confident that if I caught the ball, I could get an out, and as I did that, my defensive stats got better," he added.

"When I first came to the major leagues, I didn't even think I could win an award like this," said Kim. "I'm very happy and honored to receive such a big award. "I'm so happy and honored to receive such a great award, and it's thanks to the fans who woke up at the crack of dawn to cheer me on. Each word of support gives me tremendous strength. I think it made me play harder. I will do my best to stay injury-free and bring more joy to the fans next season," he said.