Kim Ha-seong Returns Home in Triumph

Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres returned home on Wednesday after finishing his second season in Major League Baseball.

Kim had a memorable season, appearing in the postseason and being shortlisted for the Gold Glove Award for the shortstop position in the National League. He missed out on winning the award, whose winners were announced on Tuesday.

"I am especially happy with being named a Gold Glove finalist," he told the media upon arriving at Incheon International Airport. "The other two finalists, Dansby Swanson [of the Atlanta Braves] and Miguel Rojas [Miami Marlins] are both very good shortstops, so I knew it would not be easy for me to win the award this time."

The award went to Swanson, who claimed his first career Gold Glove.

Kim became a regular starter in his sophomore MLB season, and displayed a good performance with a 0.251 batting average and 11 home runs. In the postseason, the Padres advanced all the way to the Championship Series, but failed to reach the World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kim said he was considering making himself available to play for Korea in the World Baseball Classic next year. "I am discussing it with the Padres. I want to play for Korea" in the quadrennial international tournament, he added.

Despite his performance this season, Kim has a challenging year ahead of him, as he will have to compete for his position with regular starter Fernando Tatís Jr., who missed all of the season, first due to injury and then due to a suspension for doping.

"I think I am still not good enough to secure a starter position. So I will work harder and prepare for the next season," Kim said.