You gotta be kidding me, right? Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who they shelled out a one-year, $20 million contract for last offseason, is having a season so brutal it’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons with an offensive output described as “hard to believe.” He’s currently sporting a .365 OPS. Yes, you read that right: .365.
When Good Money Buys Bad Numbers
It’s an absolute nightmare scenario for Atlanta, who must be tearing their hair out over this deal. Kim is hitting an abysmal .128/.228/.138 across 123 plate appearances, with a strikeout rate clocking in at 25.2%. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller didn’t mince words, calling Kim Atlanta’s worst “bang for your buck” player this season. Turns out, his entire spring training got messed up by an offseason ice skating accident that tore a tendon in his right middle finger. That’s a rough break, but man, those numbers are just… wow.
A Glimmer of Hope, Then Back to Reality
Believe it or not, these horrific stats were actually *worse* before September hit! Kim managed to go 3-for-3 on Sept. 1 and then followed it up with his first extra-base hit of the season a day later, a hustle double on a slow line drive. Think about that for a second: the first extra-base hit of the season in September. It’s truly “hard to believe” this is the same guy who racked up 28 home runs and 60 stolen bases between the 2023 and 2024 campaigns for San Diego. He’s dealt with multiple significant injuries over the past two years, but the drop-off is just unreal.
What’s Next for Kim and Our Own Offseason Calls
Given this offensive implosion, it’s almost a guarantee that Kim won’t land a Major League contract before next season kicks off. What front office is going to promise him an Opening Day roster spot before he proves himself again, probably in spring training? Meanwhile, speaking of next offseason moves, our very own Seattle Mariners aren’t likely to pick up the $9 million option on Victor Robles. It’s a reminder that teams gotta make tough calls on player value, whether it’s an immediate dud like Kim or a future option like Robles. For Kim, the Braves are still hoping he can somehow make an offensive impact in the postseason, but whether he even makes that roster is a huge question mark looming overhead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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