Free Agent Profile: Ha-Seong Kim, IF

Ha-Seong Kim, IF

Postion: 2B/SS/3B B/T: R/R
Age: 29 (10/17/1995)

2024 Traditional Stats: 470 PA, .233/.330/.370/.700, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 22 SB
2024 Advanced Stats: 101 wRC+, 16.4 SO%, 12.3 BB%, .261 BABIP, .316 xwOBA, 2.6 WAR

Rundown

Ha-Seong Kim had a strong 2023 campaign that was pointing him in the direction towards a big free-agent contract. However, his 2024 season saw a significant decline in every major statistical category and ended early when he injured his shoulder on a slide. He has a career OPS of .706 and has hit 47 home runs and stolen 78 bases over four seasons.

In 2024, Kim posted a 12.3 BB%, which was the highest rate of his career. He paired that with a career-low 16.4 SO% which should have allowed his numbers to take a rise. Unfortunately, due to a low average exit velocity of 86.5 – which was also the highest of his career and some very poor BABIP luck, his batting average fell to .233.

The 2024 season was the first season since 2021 that Kim had an OPS+ below 100, at 96. Despite this, offensively his best traits are his ability to avoid chasing pitches and avoid striking out. He posted a barrel percentage that put him in the 18th percentile. Ha-Seong does not hit the ball hard, and his profile in 2024 saw him try to elevate the ball more at the expense of line drives which led to more fly-outs. If he can get his profile closer to his 2023 profile and pair it with his strong plate discipline, there is no reason to imagine he could not come close to a 15-homer, 30-stolen base season.

What really makes Kim valuable is his defense at multiple positions. Kim won the Gold Glove in 2023 at the utility position, while primarily playing second base. Over his career he has been worth 21 outs above average and UZR/150 has generally loved his work at every position. Kim offers versatility and above-average defense at three positions.

Contract

Kim signed with the San Diego Padres in December of 2020 on a four-year, $28 million contract with a mutual option for the 2025 season. He would decline his portion of the 2025 option and test out free agency.

While 2024 was a down season for Kim, his positional versatility, solid plate discipline and above-average speed will lead to him being a highly desired free agent. While some teams may shy away from him due to his 2024 shoulder surgery, MLB Trade Rumors listed him #43 on their 2024-2025 Top 50 MLB free agents and projected him to get a one-year, $12 million deal.

Recommendation

The Mets have some questions on the infield and most of their infield decisions will depend on whether or not they can re-sign Pete Alonso. However, Kim has experience at second base and third base – two positions where the Mets may be looking to improve with an established starter. However, the Mets do have some internal options such as Luisañgel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio so Kim may not be high on the Mets’ wish list. In addition, he is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

Kim may be a fit for the Mets, but there may be a team who will guarantee him a starting job at shortstop and the appeal of being a super-utility player who may not play every day may not sit well with him.

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