The San Diego Padres' Ha Sung Kim will start at second base tonight. Manager Bob Melvin emphasized that the move is intentional.
Ha Sung Kim will start at second base for the Padres on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California.
After playing third base the previous day, he will start at second base. Kim has played 93 games at second base, 29 at third base, and 19 at shortstop this season.
"Yesterday, when Blake Snell was starting, we put him at third because we have a lot of right-handed hitters, and today we put him at second because we have a lot of lefties in the lineup. You want to put him where the most balls are going to be hit," Melvin said of Kim's position.
That means they have a lot of confidence in Kim's defense. "It speaks to how good his defense is," Melvin added.
Kim, who was the starting shortstop last season, moved to second base this season with the arrival of Xander Bogaerts.
"He's been working since spring training to adjust to the new position," Melvin said. "Even in the same infield, shortstop and second base are completely different. I think it was a huge step for him. You don't see that with everyone. Once he gets used to the new position, he's playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at any position in the infield," he said, praising Kim's adaptability.
Meanwhile, the Padres announced their lineup for the day: Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), Ha-Sung Kim (second base), Juan Soto (designated hitter), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field), Garrett Cooper (first base), Jurickson Profar (left field), Matthew Barten (third base), Jose Azocar (center field) and Brett Sullivan (catcher). They will face left-hander Kyle Harrison.
It will be Bogart's eighth straight game in the leadoff spot. Ha-Sung Kim had been the regular leadoff hitter, but after a brief absence with a stomach bug, the job fell to Bogaerts.
"Because he's hot right now," Melvin said when asked why he's pushing Bogaerts in the leadoff spot even after Kim's return.
"He's not afraid to bat in any order. He understands the role, whether he's batting third or fifth. Even now, he understands the leadoff role. He's very manageable," he said of Bogaerts.
Since his return, Kim has been batting fifth or sixth against right-handed starters and second against lefties.
"He's a guy who can adapt well to different batting orders," Melvin said.
Catcher Luis Camposano remained out 토토 of the lineup with an ankle injury. "He felt a little better today," Melvin said. We'll see how he feels tomorrow and make a decision (on whether to make a roster move)," Melvin said.
As for Manny Machado, who was ruled out, "I'm monitoring (the elbow soreness) every day. Today, when I woke up, it was pretty sore," he said. He expects to play a day later.
