Awesome Kim, ready! Kim Ha-sung's triple A multi-hit + reverse winning hit + steal. It's only a matter of time before we return to the big leagues
Jul 02, 2025
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Kim Ha-sung (Tampa Bay Rays), who joined the Major League later than expected, achieved multi-hits in the Triple-A game as if he were a protest. In particular, he became the main player in the victory by hitting the come-from-behind final hit in the second half of the game.
It is a show of force that it is ready to play in the big league in terms of hitting. Thanks to this performance, Kim Ha-sung is expected to wear a Tampa Bay uniform within early July.
Kim Ha-sung started as the second shortstop in an away game against Minor League Triple-A Norfolk Ties (under Baltimore) at Harbour Park in Norfolk, Virginia, on the morning of the 2nd (Korea time). It can be seen as an extension of the rehabilitation game.
A cheerful double broke out from the first at-bat in the top of the first inning. Kim Ha-sung, who came to the batter's box after leadoff hitter Tre Morgan grounded out to the first base, drew a double against Norfolk starter Roansi Contreras. When the third sinker (94.3 miles) came into the body at the ball count 1B1S, he technically pulled it and dropped it on the left outfield.
The batting speed was only 79.9 miles (about 128.5 kilometers per hour). It means it wasn't a pleasant hit. But the course was good. Kim Ha-sung went to second base. Kim Ha-sung then advanced to third base when Tristan Peters grounded out to second base to see a chance to score. However, with two outs and third base, fourth batter Bob Seymour struck out swinging, and Kim Ha-sung had a chance to score the first point.
Kim Ha-sung then came to the plate for the second time as a leadoff hitter in the top of the fourth inning. Second match against Contreras. Lost this time. In ball count 2B2S, he pulled a slider that fell toward his body for the fifth time, but was caught flying in front of left field.
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And based on this, he completed the turnaround in the very next inning. Kim Ha-sung was the main character of the reversal drama.
4-4 at the top of the seventh inning. Tram's leadoff hitter Tre Morgan hit a pitch in front of the pitcher and ran to first base to make an infield hit. At this time, Norfolk pitcher Grant Wolfram's throwing error overlapped, and Tre Morgan advanced to second base.
The second base's turnaround chance was completed, and Kim Ha-sung appeared at the batter's box. Kim Ha-sung played a careful match against Wolfram, who threw a fastball over 97 miles (about 156 kilometers per hour). Strike-ball-foul-ball. It became 2B2S. Wolfram threw a tricky ball back and forth between the body and the outside strike zone. The 5th ball is 97.3 miles outside sinker. It was a winning ball, but Kim Ha-sung cut it well.
In the end, the game was decided in the sixth pitch. When Wolfram's curve (85.2 miles) came into the middle, Kim Ha-sung's bat immediately reacted. The hit led to a timely hit during the line drive, and in the meantime, second baseman Tre Morgan came home to make it 5-4. It was the final shot of the day.
Kim Ha-sung, who went to first base, even stole second base at Seymour's at-bat, signaling that he has completely recovered to his normal condition. There was no follow-up hit again this time, so he couldn't make it to the home. Kim Ha-sung, who completed his fifth multi-hit game in Triple-A, struck out standing at the top of the ninth inning. I got hit by a full outside changeup. In the end, Kim Ha-sung recorded two hits, one RBI, one stolen base and one strikeout in five at-bats. His batting average came to 0.208 (15 hits in 72 at-bats). Durham won 5-4 thanks to Kim Ha-sung's winning shot.
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On May 27, Kim Ha-sung started his rehabilitation schedule in Triple-A for the first time. In the Major League, up to 20 games will be played in minor league rehabilitation games. If it was a normal routine, Kim Ha-sung should have completed his rehabilitation schedule and joined the Major League by late June.
However, an unexpected bad news occurred. When he played 12 games in Triple-A, he had pain in his hamstring. MLB.COM suspended its rehabilitation schedule on June 14 because Kim Ha-sung felt pain in his right hamstring. After a five-day break, he will go back to his rehabilitation schedule,' he reported.
In the end, Kim Ha-sung resumed his rehabilitation game again only on the 21st. It took a week to treat and return to the hamstring. Since then, he has played a total of 20 rehabilitation games until the game against the Memphis Redbirds (under the St. Louis Cardinals) on June 30. Kim Ha-sung, who started as the second shortstop and recorded one hit in four at-bats, had a batting average of 0.194 (13 hits in 67 at-bats) and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.573.
It's not a good record. However, considering the characteristics of the rehabilitation game, these figures are actually considered insignificant. The important thing is to check how much you have recovered from the shoulder surgery you received in October last year. In particular, it was important not to have any problems during the throwing process. Kim Ha-sung received a passing score in this regard.
Therefore, local media predicted that Kim Ha-sung, who finished his rehabilitation game on the 30th, will immediately be called up to the Major League on July 1 and 2nd at the latest.
Mark Topkin, a reporter for the local media Tampa Bay Times, predicted on the 30th that Kim Ha-sung will play his last rehabilitation game of Triple-A.
However, Kim Ha-sung's call-up to the Major League on July 1st was not made. Tampa Bay is taking a cautious approach to the timing of Kim Ha-sung's return. MLB.COM reported on the 1st that `Kim Ha-sung will start as a shortstop or second baseman after the Durham Bulls finish the day off (1st)." He actually started as a shortstop before Norfolk on the 2nd.
Tampa Bay is currently in the midst of a battle to lead the American League (AL) East. He approached the New York Yankees, who are ranked No. 1 in the district, by 1.5 games. Kim Ha-sung's return must be encouraging. But it's difficult if it's not 'normal condition'. Rather than rushing it up, it is expected to be uploaded when it is determined that it has been given enough time to help the team.
First of all, Tampa Bay will play three consecutive home games against the Athletics until the 3rd. After Lee Dong-il (4th), he will play 10 consecutive away games against the Minnesota Twins → Detroit Tigers → Boston Red Sox from the 5th. That's it for the first half.
Kim Ha-sung, who played as a multi-hit, winning RBI and stolen base in the Norfolk match, is likely to join the away game against Minnesota on the 5th at the earliest.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
