Kim Ha-seong proved his value with a series of stellar defensive plays in his Major League Baseball return, helping the Atlanta Braves secure a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on May 13 (KST).
Starting at shortstop and batting eighth, Ha-seong went 0-for-3 with a walk, but his glove work was instrumental in the win. The Braves’ infielder, who re-signed on a one-year, $20 million deal, had been sidelined since January after slipping on ice and rupturing a tendon in his right middle finger. He missed the entire offseason and spring training before beginning a rehab assignment on April 30, playing nine games across Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett (eight hits in 28 at-bats, 34 plate appearances) before being called up.
In the third inning, Ha-seong hit a sharp grounder to second base that was snagged by Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. But he answered with his own defensive brilliance in the fourth. With one out and the bases loaded, Moises Ballesteros hit a hard grounder toward second. Ha-seong fielded it cleanly, spun, and made a glove-flip tag to retire the runner from first base. Although the batter was safe and a run scored, the play prevented a potential two-run hit—the ball had an expected batting average of .480.
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His defensive showcase continued in the eighth inning with the Braves leading 5-2. A tricky hop from Matt Shaw’s grounder was handled expertly by Ha-seong, who fired to first for the out. Pitcher Dylan Lee applauded the play from the mound.
Ha-seong also reached base via a walk against Shota Imanaga in the sixth inning. According to MLB.com, the Braves plan to use him as their starting shortstop, which could reduce playing time for Jorge Mateo. Meanwhile, Mauricio Dubón, the Opening Day shortstop, has been seeing time in the outfield recently, especially in left field, as Mike Yastrzemski has struggled (OPS .516 in his first 38 games). In this game, Dubón started in left field while Yastrzemski moved to right and delivered two hits, including his first home run of the season, driving in three runs.
