In Tatis' absence, another excellent SS steps up for SD

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It's gone mostly under the radar, but Ha-Seong Kim is having an excellent season. Like, legitimately one of the better seasons by a shortstop in Padres history:

Single-season WAR, Padres shortstops
1. Fernando Tatis Jr., 2021: 6.6
2. Ozzie Smith, 1980: 5.1
3. Tatis, 2019: 4.2
4t. Khalil Greene, 2007: 3.5
4t. Ha-Seong Kim, 2022: 3.5

Though, suddenly, Kim's 2022 season is not quite so “under the radar” anymore.

• Tatis meets with Preller for first time since suspension

In the wake of Tatis’ 80-game suspension, Kim is officially entrenched as the Padres' shortstop now. In reality, of course, Kim has been that guy all season, while Tatis rehabbed his fractured left wrist.

"My game will always be the same, whether I'm starting, coming from the bench, playing wherever," Kim said through a team interpreter. "Even if we had Fernando back, my mindset would be exactly the same."

The Padres aren't asking Kim to replace the production Tatis offered. They're two drastically different players, and it's a lineup-wide task to replace what Tatis brings offensively. But at various points last season, the Padres also had to replace Tatis, whether due to injuries or COVID-19. Suffice it to say, they didn't get the type of production from Kim that they're getting this year.

After seven seasons in Korea, Kim signed a four-year deal with the Padres before the 2021 season. He mostly struggled at the plate in Year 1, finishing with a .202 batting average and a .622 OPS.

“Seeing Major League pitchers more, I got used to what to expect -- the movement, the velocity,” Kim said. “Coming in this year, I had a good offseason, preparing for the big league level. So, overall, I feel like I'm just better this year.”

The numbers back it up. Kim was strong defensively last season, but this year, he’s elite. He’s been worth 7 defensive runs saved and 8 outs above average -- both in the upper-echelon of big league shortstops.

At the plate, Kim has posted a 106 OPS+ this season, meaning he’s been 6 percent better than league average offensively. Since the All-Star break, he’s batting .299/.337/.448.

"It's just consistent playing time," Padres manager Bob Melvin said. "Now, he's getting at-bats against everybody. You look at the numbers he put up in Korea -- he was an offensive guy. He's just getting more and more comfortable. ... He's having a nice year for us all the way around."

Said Jake Cronenworth, Kim’s double-play partner: “He's just been more confident, more comfortable, playing alongside Manny [Machado] and I. He's kind of found a role for himself, where he can just play and be himself. His instincts and everything that he provides -- he's an incredible shortstop.”

Not a bad time to have one of those in reserve.