Just How Bad Has Braves SS Ha-Seong Kim Been Struggling?

To say Ha-Seong Kim is struggling is an understatement.

The Korean SS couldn’t play for his national team at the World Baseball Classic after tearing a tendon in his middle finger. He underwent surgery in January and missed four months.

Kim spent the first four years of his MLB career with the San Diego Padres. During those seasons, from 2021 to 2024, Kim accrued 15.1 WAR in 540 games. He was an average hitter with an OPS+ of 99 during that time, but his defense was elite. During his time with the Padres, Kim recorded +24 outs above average (OAA) and had a Fielding Run Value of +18. He also won a Gold Glove at SS in 2023.

After leaving San Diego, things went downhill. Kim signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays last offseason. He struggled in Tampa Bay, and after just 24 games with the club in 2025, he was Designated for Assignment (DFA). The Braves picked him up off waivers in September.

In Atlanta, Kim seemed to find himself again. In 24 games towards the end of the season, Kim hit three home runs, and his OPS+ jumped from 71 with the Rays to 95 with the Braves.

Atlanta rewarded Kim with a $20 million contract for the 2026 season, but since his return in mid-May, he has been dreadful.

Everyone Goes Through A Slump

The reality is that every player at one point or another goes through a slump. The problem is, some players’ struggles carry more weight than others. For Kim, not only has he struggled at the plate, but he’s had issues in the field as well. Through 13 games this season, he has committed three errors and is a -4 OAA at SS. The great glove he was known for in San Diego has seemingly vanished.

Combine his poor play in the field with his lack of production at the plate, and it becomes really hard to get Kim playing time. He is batting just .095 in 45 at-bats this season. His OPS+ of -14 and wRC+ of -19 are almost impossible to achieve.

All of this results in Kim posting a -0.8 WAR, which is far below replacement level. Because he is owed $20 million, the Braves won’t DFA Kim. Instead, they hope he can turn it around.

Is There Any Hope for Ha-Seong Kim?

It is logical to conclude that 50 plate appearances across just 13 games is too small of a sample size to be worried long-term. However, with the numbers reflecting poor play both offensively and defensively, it is hard to keep him in the lineup daily.

Over the last few games, Jorge Mateo has re-entered the lineup at SS. Through 35 games (as of May 30), Mateo has a slash line of .319/.364/.458 with a 136 OPS+. Defensively, Mateo also has a +1 OOA, but is also 85th percentile in Arm Strength averaging 89.5 MPH on his throws.

Braves Manager Walt Weiss isn’t going to abandon ship on Kim. However, managers, especially ones in the Braves’ position, have to play the players who give their team the best chance to win. As of now, Mateo at SS is a better option than Kim, but he won’t break out of his slump by sitting on the bench.