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Rays' shortstop Ha-Seong Kim records 2 hits and a stolen base in first rehab game

ByMason Stacy|
Tampa Bay Rays v San Diego Padres
Tampa Bay Rays v San Diego Padres | Orlando Ramirez/GettyImages

With this scrappy club on a hot streak, the only thing that could potentially put them over the edge is the Rays' debut of Ha-Seong Kim. The former Padres shortstop was a 2023 Golg Glove infielder and his energy could bring a unique boost to this red-hot lineup. To make matters better, the 29-year old appears to be recovering fabulously from his right shoulder surgery.

Ha-Seong Kim goes 2-for-2 and collects a stolen base in first rehab game

Prior to the 2025 season, the Rays anticipated Kim would make his long-awaited return in late May. However, it's been pushed back a tad as the Korean middle infielder is now taking part in his rehab assignment. Alongside Rays' young outfielder, Jake Mangum, Kim will get consistent at-bats with the Durham Bulls before he joins the lineup for Tampa Bay.

In the first contest for Ha-Seong Kim as a member of the Rays organization, he collected two line drive singles and reached on a hit-by-pitch. The smooth infielder also swiped a base to add on to his impressive debut. This performance should make Rays' fans very excited for the future!

So far this season, Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero have split time at the ever-important position of shortstop. Walls has carried the bulk of the load with 44 games at the position, while Caballero has only made 17 appearances at shortstop.

Unfortunately, Walls is still struggling at the plate with a sub-.200 AVG for the second straight season. Kim seems locked in to improve the offense in this area which could give an overall jolt to a talented ball club.

Ha-Seong Kim displayed his best numbers in 2023 when he slashed .260/.351/.398 and finished 14th in MVP voting. Also, his 17 home runs would have been tied for 3rd best in franchise history behind only Brad Miller (30 home runs in 2016) and Willy Adames (20 home runs in 2019). For a Rays' team that is in the bottom half of the MLB in most offensive categories, the addition of Kim's bat could be ideal for a run at the Wild Card.

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