Now it seems like it's worth 13 million dollars. Kim Ha-sung's first multi-hit + perfect air defense led to the upset victory in Tampa Bay

Jul 20, 2025

Now it seems like it's worth 13 million dollars. Kim Ha-sung's first multi-hit perfect air defense led to the upset victory in Tampa Bay



Now it seems like it's worth 13 million dollars. Kim Ha-sung's first multi-hit perfect air defense led to the upset victory in Tampa Bay
'This is the value of a player worth 13 million dollars'

The reason why the Tampa Bay Rays recruited Kim Ha-sung, who is rehabilitating his shoulder in the FA market in February, for as much as 2 years-29 million dollars has finally been proven. Kim Ha-sung broke through the slump and achieved his first multi-hit at his home stadium.

In particular, his second hit as a leadoff hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning was the starting point for a tie and a reversal. After Kim Ha-sung's hit, the opposing pitcher shook and subsequent hitters exploded, quickly reaching a tie and a reversal. Kim Ha-sung finally showed the value of a player receiving the highest annual salary in the team ($13 million).




Kim Ha-sung started as the eighth shortstop in the home game against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on the morning of the 20th (Korea time) and scored two hits, one stolen base and one point in three at-bats. His batting average increased from 0.200 to 0.250 (7 hits in 28 times at bat). Thanks to Kim Ha-sung's performance, Tampa Bay came from behind to win 4-3, achieving its first consecutive victory in the second half.

Initially, Tampa Bay promoted it to the Major League on the 5th in anticipation of Kim Ha-sung's batting. However, even after returning to the big league, Kim Ha-sung has rarely shown a good batting sense. From the Boston Red Sox game on the 14th to the Baltimore game on the 19th, he had no hits in three consecutive games, and his batting average fell to 0.200 (5 hits in 25 at-bats).

Now it seems like it's worth 13 million dollars. Kim Ha-sung's first multi-hit perfect air defense led to the upset victory in Tampa Bay
As a result, he was deployed as the lower batting line No. 8 for two consecutive days, not the center batting line. Kim Ha-sung had no hit against Baltimore the previous day, but this day was different.




He reported a hit from his first at-bat as a leadoff hitter in the bottom of the third inning when he was trailing 0-2. I was lucky. Kim Ha-sung, who faced Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer, extended his bat to a curve (77.8 miles per hour) that came into the low course outside the fifth pitch in the ball count 2B2S. It wasn't a regular hit, but the ball became a lucky hit that fell slightly over the infield and in front of center field.

Kim Ha-sung, who went to first base, played second base during the follow-up batter's at-bat. Tice also tried to hit at this time. However, Tice's ball was sucked into Baltimore's first baseman Meet. Baltimore first baseman Oh Heon, who caught the ball even before Kim Ha-sung tried to return to base, took the first base and made a double out. Kim Ha-sung came back to the dugout in disappointment.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, he hit a strong pitch with one out and a runner on the first base. He also hit a low sinker against Kremer like a lightning bolt. It was a typical hard hit with a batting speed of 106.1 miles (about 171 kilometers). However, the ball that flew like an arrow headed straight to left field. Although out, Kim Ha-sung's swing was sharp.




Kim Ha-sung, who found confidence, also showed his ability like the '2023 National League Utility Division Gold Glove Winner' in defense. In the top of the eighth inning, Baltimore's leadoff hitter Westberg's hit flew deep into the 3-euro area. Kim Ha-sung caught the ball with a backhand and threw it to first base with a no-step. The first decision was out. However, the challenge turned the result into an infield hit. If it wasn't for the throw following Kim Ha-sung's fast step and flexible catch, it was a ball that could not even be challenged. Fortunately, Tampa Bay did not lose a point.

Kim Ha-sung's true value shone in the bottom of the eighth inning when he was trailing 1-2. Kim Ha-sung, who faced Serantoni Dominguez, a pitcher who came out as the leadoff hitter, pushed a 98.7 mph (about 158.8 km) body sinker on the third pitch in the ball count 1B1S to make a right-handed hit. A fastball penetrated the first and second bases like a bullet and flowed into the outfield.

Now it seems like it's worth 13 million dollars. Kim Ha-sung's first multi-hit perfect air defense led to the upset victory in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Kim Ha-sung (right) is immediately succeeding in stealing second base after hitting a leadoff hit in the bottom of the eighth inning at home against Baltimore on the 20th.
Kim Ha-sung then immediately stole second base at the subsequent tights at-bat and created a chance to tie the game. The scene drew cheers in front of the home fan by achieving multi-hit and stolen bases in the second half. While Tice hit a fly ball to right field, Kim Ha-sung tagged up to third base. If there were no stolen bases on the second base, the scene that would have been only 1 out and 1 out would have been reversed with a good chance of 1 out and 3rd base.

Then, Chandler Simpson's timely hit to the midfield exploded, and Kim Ha-sung eventually scored the equalizer. Baltimore pitcher Dominguez collapsed when Simpson also stole second base. He was replaced by Gregory Soto after making a full base crisis with two consecutive walks.

Soto induced his first opponent, Jonathan Aranda, to ground out to first base. However, first baseman Oh Heon's home throw, which caught the ball, fell back, and two runners came home at once to make it 4-2. This was the winning run. Tampa Bay failed to score an additional point with one out and runners on first and third, but kept the victory by blocking Baltimore's offense with one run in the top of the ninth inning.

Now it seems like it's worth 13 million dollars. Kim Ha-sung's first multi-hit perfect air defense led to the upset victory in Tampa Bay
This marks the first time in more than 20 days that Tampa Bay has won three straight games against Kansas City from June 25 to 27, signaling a rebound. In the American League East, he is still 5.5 games apart from Toronto, which is ranked first. However, he trailed Boston in third place by half a game. If the winning streak continues, there is still room to enter the Earth's leading fight again. The variable that can turn this possibility into reality is the revival of Kim Ha-sung. It is no exaggeration to say that Kim Ha-sung is the key player of Tampa Bay's revival.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.