Powerful Optout → ATL multi-year contract presented, Kim Ha-sung hit 9G in a row, and OPS soared 0.839 after transfer

Sep 22, 2025

Powerful Optout → ATL multi-year contract presented, Kim Ha-sung hit 9G in a row, and OPS soared 0.839 after transfer
Kim Ha-sung is making a high five with second baseman Ajie Albies after winning the Detroit match 6-2 at Comerica Park on the 22nd (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News



In this case, it seems that you can apply for an FA right away.

Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung is continuing his best bat skills since his transfer. The Atlanta club is delighted to have found the shortstop it has been waiting for so long.

Kim Ha-sung started as the 6th shortstop in the last of three consecutive away games against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on the 22nd (Korea time) and led the team to a 6-2 victory by swinging one hit, two RBIs, one run and one walk in three at-bats, including a home run.




Kim Ha-sung, who has had nine consecutive hits since the Houston Astros game on the 14th and continued his scoring streak in eight consecutive games since the Houston Astros game on the 15th, marked a batting average of 0.257 (38 hits in 148 at-bats), five home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 points, 14 points, 35 strikeouts, 6 steals, and an OPS of 0.710.

With a batting average of 0.394 (13 hits in 33 at-bats), two homers, eight RBIs, and 10 points in the last nine games, he has a batting average of 0.313 (20 hits in 64 at-bats), three homers, 12 RBIs, 12 runs, six walks, 12 strikeouts and an OPS of 0.839 in 18 games since moving to Atlanta.

Kim Ha-sung had a hit streak of 16 consecutive games in the summer of 2023 when he was with the San Diego Padres. It can be seen as the best batting feeling since then.




Powerful Optout → ATL multi-year contract presented, Kim Ha-sung hit 9G in a row, and OPS soared 0.839 after transfer
Kim Ha-sung is circling the base with his arms open after hitting a solo home run over the left-center wall in the fourth inning against Detroit at Comerica Park on the 22nd (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News
Kim Ha-sung, who stepped down with a fly to center field in his first at-bat in the top of the second inning, hit a home run in his second at-bat after one out in the top of the fourth inning with a 1-0 lead. In the first pitch of opposing right-hander Casey Mize, he pulled a high 92.1-mile fastball to easily cross the left-center fence. He hit his fifth homer of the season with a shooting angle of 22 degrees, a batting speed of 104.1 miles and a driving distance of 383 feet.

It is the first time in two days that Kim Ha-sung hit a home run since his two-run shot to the left in the eighth inning against Detroit on the 20th. His third homer since moving to Atlanta.

Casey, who was beaten by Kim Ha-sung, is Detroit's main starter with 14 wins this season and also played in this year's All-Star Game. He lost the game by allowing five hits, three walks and three runs in five ⅔ innings.




Kim Ha-sung, who struck out swinging in his third at-bat in the top of the sixth inning, got on base with a walk with two outs and runners on first and third in the seventh inning with a 3-0 lead, but the inning ended as it was after the next batter, Marcel Osuna, was struck out.

Atlanta added three runs in the top of the ninth inning with a 3-0 lead, a double by Ajie Albies, a runner on the first and second bases with no outs, a sacrifice fly to left field by Kim Ha-sung and a double by Michael Harris II. Kim Ha-sung hit a sweeper in the middle of the opponent's right-hander Paul Sewald's 81.2-mile first pitch and hit a 331-foot fly to the left to bring in third baseman Drake Baldwin.

Powerful Optout → ATL multi-year contract presented, Kim Ha-sung hit 9G in a row, and OPS soared 0.839 after transfer
Kim Ha-sung hits a solo home run over the left-center wall in the fourth inning against Detroit at Comerica Park on the 22nd (Korea time) and high-fives with his teammates. ImagesYonhap News
Powerful Optout → ATL multi-year contract presented, Kim Ha-sung hit 9G in a row, and OPS soared 0.839 after transfer
Kim Ha-sung is avoiding the body of Detroit pitcher Tommy Canley in the seventh inning. AP Yonhap News
Atlanta, which has won eight consecutive games, has already failed in the postseason, but it has one clear puzzle in its power plan for next season. I found the shortstop, who was the most vulnerable position. Atlanta immediately took over the contract when the Tampa Bay Rays released Kim Ha-sung on waivers earlier this month and has been using him as a built-in shortstop since the Chicago Cubs on the 3rd.

Kim Ha-sung is showing that if he is healthy, he can display his impeccable league-class skills in the offense and defense. In particular, the jagged hit this year seems to have been upgraded to the next level in Atlanta. The barrel ratio (5.4%), average batting speed (89.3 miles), and hard hit ratio (42.9%) are hitting career highs. These are all indicators that came to Atlanta and raised them. The average batting speed since moving to Atlanta is 90.4 miles.

For now, the prevailing view is that Kim Ha-sung will choose a $16 million player option and stay next year, but the situation is changing little by little. It is not known how different Kim Ha-sung's batting indicators will be in the remaining six games of the season, but the possibility of tapping the FA market again after the season cannot be ruled out. The agent is Scott Boras.

As we have verified our health and batting skills over the past three weeks in Atlanta, we can cautiously recommend opt-outs. If Kim Ha-sung tries to declare FA, local media predict that Atlanta can offer an extension contract. It means that you can sign a four- to five-year contract at a level lower than $16 million per year.

Atlanta will closely look at Kim Ha-sung's figures and physical conditions after this season. Of course, it is up to Kim Ha-sung to make the judgment.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.