Look, no one who is even remotely curious or aware thought that Ha-Seong Kim was going to be an offensive juggernaut for the Atlanta Braves. The guy has a career 97 wRC+, so thinking that prime A-Rod was going to be making an appearance in a Braves uniform in 2026 was far-fetched from the get-go. Once you add in the lengthy absence and lack of spring training due to Kim's finger injury, some rust was to be expected. However, we may be reaching the danger zone when it comes to playing Kim at shortstop every day.
No one would have blamed Kim if he had some rotten batted ball luck or his timing was off for a handful of games. However, not only is Kim not hitting basically at all over the last couple of weeks, but his defense hasn't been good, either. At some point, the Braves are going to have to make a decision.
Ha-Seong Kim's slow start in return from IL should have the Braves making back-up plans
We know that by writing this, Kim is probably going to have some crazy game against the Red Sox on Thursday. If we are enacting a massive reverse jinx, you are all welcome.
However, there are no signs that that is coming. Kim has exactly four hits since coming back from the IL, and all four of them have been singles. Walks have buoyed his value a little bit, but it is hard to put much of a shine on a -12 wRC+ across 12 games. Making matters worse, Kim's defense, which was supposed to be a major source of his value, has taken a hit. The sample size is small, but his arm has not looked impressive, and he has already managed to accumulate -4 Outs Above Average at shortstop. That isn't going to work.
Complicating matters is that the Braves DO have other options at shortstop that look more appealing if you are looking purely at production. Mauricio Dubon was a strong defender at short while filling in for Kim and has been surprisingly clutch at the plate, although he has cooled off a good bit. There is also Jorge Mateo, who honestly has a similar profile to what Kim WAS previously, but with less defense and a lot more speed. Both of those guys have played well and, on paper, would make Atlanta's lineup better right now.
Of course, it isn't that simple, and maybe it shouldn't be. Kim IS making $20 million this year, so it doesn't actually make much sense for the Braves to just pull the plug after a dozen games or so. Kim HAS been a good baseball player, and the best team that Atlanta can field this year probably involves a healthy and productive Kim.
However, the Braves can't wait around forever for Kim. If we get into late June and Kim still can't hit above .200 or make the throws Atlanta is paying him to make, you can bet that the Braves might be more willing to shake things up. Kim may be making real money, but the Braves aren't going to let all of the good work they have done at the start of the season get squandered the rest of the way because of one contract.
Add us as a preferred source on Google