CJ Garcia
Ha-Seong Kim, known for his glove and speed, has been linked with the Dodgers all offseason for good reason, as he would add an extra weapon to the bottom of the Dodgers’ order and set the table for the top of the order.
Despite his season being cut short due to a torn labrum, Kim was solid on both offense and defense, putting up 101 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR, 4 DRS (while playing all games at SS), and 22 SB.
After getting on base last season with a .330 OBP and a career-best .351 OBP in 2023, Kim has shown the ability to be a valuable piece in a lineup and would most likely be slotted into the nine-hole.
Over the last two seasons, Kim has stolen sixty bases in seventy-four attempts, leading to an 81% stolen base conversion, meaning he’s effective in volume on the base paths.
Defense is a massive component of Ha-Seong Kim’s game. Kim has forty-three DRS over the last three seasons, playing a majority of those innings at shortstop, second base, and a minimal amount at third base.
Ha-Seong Kim’s elite arm strength will now be a question mark after he undergoes labrum surgery on his throwing shoulder. Kim still has elite range and versatility, which helped him win the 2023 NL Gold Glove for utility players.
Kim is expected to return sometime in April, and depending on his recovery, he could be a great piece to use at shortstop and move Mookie to second base or have Ha-Seong Kim be the everyday second baseman.
On a 600-plate appearance pace, Ha Seong-Kim is averaging a 3.8 fWAR. Aside from his speed and defensive prowess, Kim’s offensive profile should not be avoided. In 2024, HSK was 96th percentile in BB% at 12.3 and 98th percentile in chase% at 18.6.
Kim has tremendous plate discipline that would make the Dodger lineup even more unreal. He has hit over 10 home runs in every season except his rookie season, with a career-high of 17, which he hit the same year he stole 38 bases.
Despite his season being cut short, Kim still put up his career-best Hard Hit% at 35.4 and his career-best Barrel% at 4.8%. Despite playing 31 games less in 2024 than in his career-best season in 2023, HSK had 118 hard-hit balls in 91 fewer balls put in play compared to 2023, when he only had 111 hard-hit balls.
Although the stat sheet was not as flashy as 2023, Kim seems to be trending upwards on the offensive side of things. If he keeps improving on what he did in 2024, he could put up a new career-best season in his next contract.
I would love Ha-Seong Kim for the right price. The current predictions are that Kim will get four years and $60 million. Still, given that he’s coming off of significant surgery and his market may be depleted, there is a chance he would take a two-year, $30 million contract or even one year with an option. All in all, Kim provides even more depth to the lineup and an unreal glove. Kim would be a GREAT Dodger.
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