Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres) made history by becoming the first Korean major leaguer to steal 30 bases. He became the first player to reach 30 stolen bases in a season.
Kim started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a hit, a stolen base and a double in the Padres’ 2023 Major League Baseball home game against San Francisco at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on April 4 (ET). He is batting .275 on the season.
With the score 0-0, Kim led off the bottom of the first inning against San Francisco starter Alex Cobb. With two on and two out, he lined a four-pitch 94-mph sinker to right field. It was a big hit that broke his hitting streak and walk the day before.
Kim then stole second base in the ensuing at-bat against Fernando Tatis Jr. 30th stolen base of the season. His first stolen base in nine games since Aug. 26 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He also became the first Korean major leaguer to steal 30 bases, but was tagged out trying to advance to third on Tatis’ grounder to shortstop.
Prior to Kim, the most stolen bases by a Korean major leaguer in a single season was 22 by Shin-Soo Choo (SSG) in 2010 while playing for the Cleveland Indians. Kim surpassed the 22-steal mark early. Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh Pirates) also has 22 stolen bases this season.
The major leagues have created a favorable environment for stealing bases this year with balk restrictions, shift bans, and pitch clocks. With his quick feet and good stamina, Kim is well on his way to 31 stolen bases. There’s still about a month left in the season. He will try to become the first Korean major leaguer to reach 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases.
Kim’s second at-bat came in the bottom of the second inning with the bases loaded and the score 3-0. He didn’t bat at an eight-pitch, 94-mph sinker on a full count from Cobb. According to MLB.com Gameday, the pitch was outside the hypothetical strike zone, but the umpire called it a strike, and Kim stomped both feet on the ground in frustration.먹튀검증
In the bottom of the fourth inning with a 4-0 lead, Kim batted third with two outs. He picked off a 95-mph sinker at 3B1S from right-hander Caton Wynn, drew a walk and stole second base with room to spare from Tatis. He stole his 31st base of the season, but was unable to score on Tatis’ grounder to shortstop.
Kim again stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning with a 4-0 lead. He fouled off a 97-mph fastball on a 1B2S pitch. San Diego won 4-0. The Padres have won three straight to improve to 64-74. But seventh in the National League wild-card race. Still 6.5 games behind third-place San Francisco.