In the end, a fastball countermeasure is needed. While Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres)’s performance is plummeting, he is unable to cope with fast balls at all.
Kim Ha-seong recorded a batting average of 0.203, 2 homers, 4 RBIs, 4 runs, 13 hits, and an on-base percentage of 0.271 OPS of 0.631 in 19메이저놀이터 games of the season until the 21st (hereinafter Korean time).
The OPS, which once exceeded 0.900, has fallen to 0.631, and the batting average is hovering around the Mendoza line. Also, the hit has not come out for the 4th game.
The biggest problem is strikeouts. Kim Ha-seong struck out 19 while getting 5 walks. He recently struck out in four consecutive games.
This record is significantly worse than last year’s 51 walks and 100 strikeouts. He also fell short of his 22 walks and -71 strikeouts in his first season in the major leagues.
Strikeouts in modern baseball are not something to be ashamed of. When a home run comes along. However, in the case of Kim Ha-seong, the story is different.
Kim Ha-seong is not able to respond to the opposing pitcher’s fast ball. He’s swinging a 95+ mph ball as well as a 93 mph ball that’s about 150 km.
Major league pitchers are going through a velocity revolution and are throwing very fast pitches. It’s no surprise that relievers throw pitches in the high 90s.
When hitters can’t respond to fast velocity, the four-seam fastball is the pitcher’s best weapon. Because it’s the easiest to get rid of.
For Ha-seong Kim, attacking fastballs is essential for survival. This is because no matter how high the defensive utilization is, a certain level of batting performance is necessary.