‘Bulk up + improve swing mechanism’ Kim Ha-seong, transformed into a power hitter.

Ha-Seong Kim (San Diego Padres)’s goal for the 2024 season is to become a power hitter.

Ha-seong Kim set a big league career high with 17 home runs and a slugging percentage of 0.398 in the 2023 season.

Accordingly, with the goal of surpassing this in the 2024 season, it is known that during the off-season, efforts were made to strengthen physical strength, such as bulking up, and to improve swing mechanics.

Ha-Seong Kim drew a total of 131 arcs in the six seasons he played as a full-timer, excluding his debut year during his KBO League days. He averages 21.8 on the season. In the 2020 season, he hit 30 home runs.

Therefore, Ha-seong Kim appears to have set a goal of hitting at least 20 home runs in the 2024 season.

Last season, Ha-seong Kim recorded 38 stolen bases and could have joined the '20-20 Club' if he had added just 3 more home runs. However, he was unable to achieve that record due to stomach pain at the end of the season.

According to FanGraphs' ZIPS, Kim Ha-seong was expected to hit 13 home runs this season.

For Ha-seong Kim, his performance in the 2024 season is very important. Because after the season he becomes a free agent. Ha-Seong Kim has a mutual option with San Diego in 2025, but it is unlikely that he will exercise it. This is to be properly evaluated in the free agent market. Some predicted Kim Ha-seong's ransom to be worth $150 million.

If Kim Ha-seong, who is good at defense, combines batting with power, his value could rise further.

Attention is being paid to whether Ha-seong Kim will shake off the unfortunate events in Korea and succeed in transforming into a power hitter by hitting a career-high home run.

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