SAN DIEGO -- The Padres had the best infield in baseball in 2020, then added Korean star Ha-Seong Kim to that mix for '21. So far, Kim is fitting right in.

Making his first start on Saturday night against the D-backs, Kim ripped a pair of hard singles in his first two at-bats -- the first two hits of his big league career.

After the first of those two hits, the San Diego dugout went wild. Shortly thereafter, Kim's first-hit ball made its way to Manny Machado on the top step, and Machado executed his favored bait-and-switch trick -- tossing a decoy ball into the stands.

Kim, locked in at the time, didn't notice. But when Machado told him about the gag afterward, Kim chuckled.

"I just love them," Kim said later through a team interpreter. "They're great teammates."

Kim's big night answered a few lingering concerns from his disappointing Spring Training. He raked across seven seasons in the KBO, but Kim batted just .167 with no extra-base hits during Spring Training.

Externally, there was speculation about whether Kim needed further seasoning at the team's alternate training site. Internally, there was none of that. The Padres' coaching staff and front office were staunch in their belief that Kim's bat would translate quickly.

In his first start, Kim proved those team decision-makers right -- and not merely by the box score. Kim's singles were both lasers, clocked at 108 and 107 mph, respectively. They were two of the five hardest hit balls of the night.

"It felt great," Kim said. "It was my dream stage for me. I got a hit on my dream stage, and the big support from the fans, I really appreciate it.”

For all of Kim's success in Korea, he and the Padres have both noted that it would take time for him to acclimate to the Majors. All spring, Kim struggled against big-time velocity.

On Saturday, manager Jayce Tingler found the perfect landing spot for the righty-hitting Kim – facing D-backs left-hander Caleb Smith and his low-90s fastball.

"There's going to be an adjustment period at the plate," Tingler said. "The more times he sees guys and understands the way they're trying to pitch him, he's just going to put more things in his memory bank. He's got a chance to grow and learn quickly."

That's not to say Kim's appearances will be limited to soft-tossing lefties. The Padres signed him with designs on playing him often. Sure, they already boast an infield with Eric Hosmer, Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth. But on any given night, the versatile Kim could spell any of those four. (On Saturday, it was Hosmer.)

The Padres have made it clear they're going to give their starters regular rest this season. That portends multiple starts each week for Kim -- whether at second, short or third. They're confident he can handle all three.

"We've got a lot of confidence with him in all parts of the game," Tingler said. "The part right now I've probably got the most confidence is defensively. He can play different infield positions. He understands our plays, understands where he needs to be, sure-handed, good decision-maker, good thrower."

Sure enough, moments after Kim took the field for the first time, the first batter of the game, Josh Rojas, bounced a grounder to second. Kim gobbled it up and threw to first for the first out of the game.

Cronenworth gave Kim a knowing point with his glove. Machado tapped him on the thigh as he trotted back to third after the shift.

"Everyone in this organization has helped me adjust," Kim said. "It helped me a lot. Great teammates, great staff. I was able to get adjusted faster than I expected."