Padres supervisor Mike Shildt instructed reporters (together with AJ Cassavell of MLB.com) this night that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim’s season is over. Kim later instructed reporters (together with Cassavell) that he’s present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. The shortstop has been on the IL for over a month on account of irritation in his shoulder, and Shildt revealed yesterday that Kim may in the end must go beneath the knife to restore the labrum in his shoulder.
It’s an enormous blow for a Padres membership that has leaned closely on the 28-year-old since he loved a breakout season again in 2022. That yr, Kim stepped in to exchange troubled star Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop amid a misplaced season attributable to off-the-field accidents and a PED suspension. He excelled within the function, hitting an above-average .251/.325/.383 (105 wRC+) in 150 video games whereas taking part in robust protection at shortstop. Kim was pushed again to second base by the addition of Xander Bogaerts final yr however took yet one more step ahead with the bat whereas taking part in slick protection throughout not solely the keystone but additionally shortstop and third base as wanted.
Final yr, Kim slashed .260/.351/.398 with a wRC+ of 110 whereas swiping 38 baggage in 47 makes an attempt. That general bundle was sufficient to earn Kim his first profession Gold Glove award and even some downballot MVP votes. Coming off that robust season and a lackluster season defensively from Bogaerts, the Padres elected to modify the 2 coming into this yr to return Kim to shortstop. That seemingly set him up for what may very well be his third straight profession yr, however issues didn’t play out fairly that method because the infielder took a slight step again on the plate. In 121 video games for the Padres this yr, Kim posted a wRC+ of 101 whereas stealing 22 bases in 27 makes an attempt. That down season has been additional exacerbated by his shoulder woes, which have stored him from taking part within the stretch run and now will take away him from San Diego’s postseason plans solely.
Trying forward for the Padres, it appears seemingly that the membership will now keep on with Bogaerts at shortstop headed into the postseason, as they’ve achieved since transferring him again to the place earlier this month in response to Kim’s harm. It’s been a down season for Bogaerts general as he’s been restricted to only 110 video games to this point by accidents whereas posting a 94 wRC+ that’s his worst since 2014, however he’s managed to show issues round since coming back from the injured checklist again in July with a strong .295/.336/.430 slash line throughout 259 plate appearances that’s good for a 116 wRC+. That’s opened second base up for normal begins from Jake Cronenworth, leaving first base out there for a timeshare between Donovan Solano and Luis Arraez, the latter of whom additionally elements into the membership’s DH combine alongside David Peralta on days he isn’t taking part in first base.
As for Kim himself, the shortstop will now head into free company dealing with a brand new layer of uncertainty. Whereas he’s nonetheless all however sure to say no his $8MM participant choice for subsequent season in favor of a $2MM buyout, it’s potential that groups may very well be extra hesitant to supply the versatile infielder a large multi-year deal this winter on account of considerations about how his shoulder points might influence him on each side of the ball going ahead. Kim appeared more likely to be a consensus prime infield choice in free company this winter behind Alex Bregman and Willy Adames, making it straightforward to think about him touchdown a big contract. Between his down 2024 season on the plate and now his impending surgical procedure, nonetheless, Kim’s future appears a bit murkier than it did even a number of days in the past.
