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It's an unusual start to the exhibition season. Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) has had two consecutive multi-hit games, raising expectations for his free agency season. He's also gained 7 kilograms, which is expected to boost his power.

Kim started at shortstop in the five-hole and went 1-for-1 with one run, one RBI, and one walk in an exhibition game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona, USA, on May 25.

The big hit came in the first inning. With two on and two out, he took a six-pitch fastball on a 2-2 count against Milwaukee left-hander Rob Jastrzejczyk. With a lightning swing, he barreled through the plate, and the ball stretched out for an RBI double over the head of Milwaukee center fielder Jackson Churio. It tied the game at 2-2.

In the third inning, he drew a straightaway walk off right-hander Ennoli Paredes to load the bases. Kim, who was replaced after the fourth inning, had his second straight multi-hit game and fourth straight 100 percent at-bat after going 1-for-1 with a walk and a hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the opening day of the tournament.

Kim Ha-seong is still perfect, even after bulking up by 7 kilograms

The San Diego Union-Tribune, a local newspaper in the United States, reported on the game, saying, "Kim is still perfect," and added, "He went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. He is now 2-for-2 with a double and two walks in exhibition games this spring.

Even though it's an exhibition game and he hasn't played many games, it's clear that his pace isn't what it should be. "I'm trying not to overdo it. 토토사이트 Since it's an exhibition game, I'm focusing on making sure I don't get injured. There's nothing else," he said calmly.

There's no need to get too excited, but it's clear he worked hard last winter. Kim, who hit 17 home runs last year, came into spring training with a weight gain of 10 pounds. His first at-bat in the first inning was a long fly ball. "I was lucky because I didn't think it would be caught," Kim said, adding that it was worth the effort.

Kim is small at 175 centimeters and 76 kilograms on his official Major League Baseball profile, but his upper body muscles are visible to the naked eye in camp. "I've gained a lot of muscle mass and weight. I'm doing weight training to maintain it as much as possible. I've gained about 20 pounds," he said.

How much is a 20-homer shortstop worth? Swanson is a good comparison

Kim, who switched from second base to shortstop in an 11-year, $280 million free-agent deal with free agent sensation Xander Bogaerts before last season, has the opportunity to significantly increase his value ahead of free agency. The bulking effect of 20 home runs would make him even more valuable as a long-hitting shortstop.

His free agent comparison is Dansby Swanson (30, Chicago Cubs), who Kim considers the best defensive shortstop in the National League (NL). A two-time Gold Glove winner, Swanson hit the free agent jackpot in his third year after gradually improving his power. After hitting 27 home runs in 2021 and 25 in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves, he signed a massive seven-year, $177 million contract with the Cubs. Swanson also hit 22 homers for the Cubs last year.

If Kim hits 20 homers this year, he can expect similar treatment to Swanson. Of course, the shortstop can't neglect his defense, which is fundamental. "I'm most concerned about not getting slower in the field (due to weight gain). I'm trying to make sure my speed doesn't decrease," he said, adding, "I lose a lot of weight as the season goes on, and I think my long batting average will be the result depending on how much I keep it up."

A different kind of sensitivity, even big players ask for defense

Defense is the foundation for a shortstop to hit the free agent jackpot. On this day, Kim showed stable defense at shortstop. With the bases loaded in the first inning, he took second base on a grounder to first by Blake Perkins and got the force out on a throw from Cronenwirth. He then threw accurately to first, but Avila, who was covering the bases, dropped the ball to prevent a double play. Two runs scored on the throwing error to end the inning.

In the third inning, two batters later, Hase's line drive to center field was caught with room to spare and thrown to first base for the final out of the inning. In the fourth inning, he made a keystone play involving Bogartz at second base. With runners on first and second, Bryce Turang hit a grounder to second that Bogart threw to second base, allowing Kim to steal second for the final out of the inning.

Bogaerts, who played 53 games (50 games - 442⅔ innings) at third base in his major league debut in 2013 and has played 1338 career games (1325 starts - 1,675⅔ innings) at shortstop, has been playing second base this year in favor of Kim. Although he is a veteran of the infield, he has never played second base before, so there are some unfamiliarities, and he has been asking Kim for advice since training. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger acknowledged that.

"He's never played second base before, so he asks me and Jake Cronenworth a lot about things like pivot plays," Kim said. "Defense is something I'm confident in. The chemistry between Bogartz and Keystone is not bad. We just need to get out there more and get our chemistry together and we'll be fine."