Ha-Seong Kim 2021 Fantasy Outlook: Upside Middle-Infield Option For Power/Speed Combination
Ha-Seong Kim comes over to the United States in 2021 after a successful career in Korea. The 25-year-old slashed .306/.397/.523 with 30 home runs and 23 steals last season, showing off his power/speed skills. He also has experience at third base and will be a utility infielder for the Friars, but most of his playing time is expected to come at second base while sharing time with Jake Cronenworth and Jurickson Profar. There's a lot to like about Kim's skill set with the lumber and on the bases, and he's just 25 years old, but until we have a better idea of how much playing time he'll receive, it's hard to recommend him as anything more than a modest middle-infield power/speed threat in the later rounds of mixed leagues. Spring Training production doesn't typically matter but it's important for a player like Kim, who's competing for playing time. Kim and Cronenworth have roughly taken the same amount of at-bats this spring with 26 and 28 AB's, respectively. Cronenworth is slashing .321/.406/.429 to Kim's .115/.233/.115. They'll open the season in a platoon but it wouldn't be surprising to see Kim take more of a backseat to Cronenwroth, at least to start. Although he'll likely hit near the bottom of the San Diego batting order when he is in the lineup, Kim could have more chances to drive in and score runs in the loaded Padres lineup. He's still an attractive fantasy option at second base, which isn't very deep.
San Diego Padres shortstop/second baseman
Ha-Seong Kim Targeting June/July Return
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is targeting a June/July return to the lineup for the Rays. He is reportedly doing well in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Although he has not seen any game action, he has been throwing, hitting, and taking ground balls since March. The Rays will likely want to get him some minor league action before his return, and if that is the case, the Rays will try to get him playing by mid-May, if he is targeting a June/July return. Kim, a career .242/.326/.380 hitter, will likely take over daily shortstop duties for the Rays upon his return. Kim is a decent stash in 14-plus team leagues or should solely be relied on as a base stealer in category leagues.
Source: Sports by Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Source: Sports by Tampa Bay Times
Ha-Seong Kim Doing Well In Rehab
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is reportedly doing well in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. "He's doing very, very good. Took ground balls yesterday off the new clay that we have in place," manager Kevin Cash said. The 29-year-old didn't play in any games in spring training, but he was throwing, hitting and taking ground balls by the end of camp. He originally was hoping to make his Rays debut before the end of April, but since he has yet to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, it's likely we won't see Kim for the first time in Tampa until early May. Once Kim is officially activated from the IL, he's expected to serve as the Ray's everyday shortstop. The South Korean is unlikely to repeat his breakout season in 2023 with the Padres, but at the very least he should be a nice source of steals as a middle infielder in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues.
Source: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan Bass
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Source: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan Bass
Ha-Seong Kim Agrees With Rays, Expected To Return In May
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal on Wednesday that includes an opt-out clause after the first season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Kim is coming off labrum surgery but is expected to return in May and is slated to take over at shortstop for the Rays when he's ready to make his 2025 debut. Fantasy managers are going to be skeptical, and rightfully so, especially coming off shoulder surgery. It's a fair bet that the 29-year-old South Korean native's 2023 season with the San Diego Padres -- when he hit .260/.351/.398 with 17 homers, 60 RBI and 38 steals -- is his high-water mark. He dropped down to a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 homers, 47 RBI and 22 steals in 121 games last year. Kim is a nice source of speed, but coming off injury and going to a much weaker lineup in Tampa, his fantasy stock will be down considerably.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Free-agent infielder Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Ha-Seong Kim Remains A Target For Detroit
Ha-Seong Kim remains a target for the Detroit Tigers. Petzold noted that the team continues to view him as a possible "fallback" option if the team fails to sign Alex Bregman. However, Bregman remains Detroit's top priority. Kim is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he is still recovering from shoulder surgery. The Houston Astros have re-emerged as potential favorites to plan Bregman as contract talks have resumed, and the team recently traded relief pitcher Ryan Pressly to open salary. Last season, Kim posted a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a 16.4% K rate and a 12.3% walk rate.
Source: Evan Petzold
According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, free-agent infielder Source: Evan Petzold
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