The San Diego Padres’ Ha-Sung Kim, 28, has earned $750,000 in at-bat incentives. San Diego manager Bob Melvin gave him another rave review.
On Sept. 9 (TUESDAY), Kim started at first base and went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored, one walk and three stolen bases in San Diego’s 11-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.온라인바카라
His season numbers to that point were 137 games (130-for-476) with 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 79 runs scored, 67 walks, 105 strikeouts, 34 stolen bases, a .364 on-base percentage, a .422 slugging percentage and a .786 OPS.
For surpassing 550 at-bats (554) this year, Kim will receive an additional $250,000 in incentives. Kim, who signed a 4+1 year, $28 million guaranteed, $39 million maximum deal with San Diego in January 2021, included incentives based on at-bats each season. Based on 400 at-bats, additional money accumulates in increments of 50 at-bats through 600.
He gets $100,000 for 400 at-bats, $200,000 for 450 at-bats, $200,000 for 500 at-bats, $250,000 for 550 at-bats, and $250,000 for 600 at-bats. If he reaches 600, he can earn a total of $1 million in incentives. Kim has secured $750,000 to date.
In his first year in 2021, Kim had 298 at-bats and didn’t earn a single at-bat incentive. But last year, he earned $750,000 for his 582 at-bats as a full-time starter, and this year, he’s on pace to reach 600 at-bats to max out at $1 million if he plays the rest of the season.
He’s been in a mini-slump lately, going hitless in his last two games, but he broke the silence with a double in the second inning. With runners on second and third, he crushed a two-pitch outside slider from Houston right-hander Hunter Braun for an RBI double. In the third inning, San Diego manager Bob Melvin, who was interviewed by an Apple TV reporter covering the game, was asked about Kim.
“He’s getting better and better every year,” Melvin said of Kim. He’s been able to play multiple positions, play good defense, and hit leadoff. He’s helping the team in every way.” Melvin’s praise was not lost on Kim. In the fifth inning, he drew a full-count walk and stole second base to set the stage for a run. In the seventh inning, he led off with a single to left and then stole two or three bases in a row to rattle the Houston bats.
The three stolen bases were his second of the season and tied his career high for a single game, set on May 4 against the Seattle Mariners. With 34 stolen bases on the season, Kim ranks fifth in the National League and eighth overall in the majors in that category. Mathematically on pace to reach 39 stolen bases. Only Japanese player Ichiro Suzuki has had five 40-steal seasons in Asia. He led the American League in stolen bases in 2001 with 56 for Seattle.
While Ichiro was the most prolific hitter in the game, he also hit the most home runs as a switch-hitter, 15 in 2005 with Seattle. Kim, on the other hand, has 17 home runs this year. He needs three more homers in the remaining 20 games to get to 20-30. So far, two Asian players, Shin-Soo Choo (2019-2010-2013) and Shohei Ohtani (2021-2013), have achieved 20-20, but no 20-30. If Kim reaches 40 steals, he’ll have a record that won’t be easily surpassed.