The San Diego Padres are heading into the 2024 season with many question marks. After a ton of hope in the last few seasons, it has all died down as we approach the new year.
Although the Padres still have a few star players, they also have some emerging players who are looking to take an even more giant leap in 2024. One of those players happens to be their four-year veteran and utility star, Ha-Seong Kim . Kim is coming off the best season of his career in 2023 and is looking to continue building upon it.
He was great at the plate and on defense, giving them a consistent presence throughout the year. According to San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee, the team is trying to re-sign him and move him to be the permanent shortstop.
Merrill may yet be the Padres’ shortstop of the future, as Bogaerts transitions sooner or later to the right side of the field. Then again, the team plans to try to extend Ha-Seong Kim and could make him its permanent shortstop.