Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim speaks to 10News about his return to South Korea

PEORIA, Az. (KGTV) — Spring Coaching is when prime MLB prospects earn spots and veteran stars showcase their abilities for the crowds of followers lined as much as catch a glimpse of their favourite gamers.

This yr, coaching is shorter, and the reason being greater than 6,000 miles away. The stage is about for the first-ever MLB common season sport in Seoul, South Korea — a spot that’s close to and expensive to the center of Padres Star shortstop Ha-Seong Kim.
 
I obtained an opportunity to spend a while with Kim and his translator, David Lee, at Spring Coaching to speak about his return to South Korea.

“I am actually grateful and honored to be part of one thing historic,” Kim says. “An MLB sport has by no means been performed earlier than in Korea, so I am actually glad that I get to return to my house nation and play a significant league sport with this group of fellows.”

Though South Korea is understood around the globe for its developments in know-how, wealthy tradition and scrumptious meals, to the Friar Trustworthy, it’s merely the place Ha-Seong Kim dominated within the Korean Baseball Group.

The KBO can also be the place the Padres’ new aid pitcher, Woo-Suk-Go, began his profession.

Kim says this journey is about sharing his house along with his teammates and the world.

“I feel I am simply total excited to only present my teammates the entire nation, the tradition, and the way baseball tradition is in South Korea.” he says.

Teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. says this journey to Korea gained’t simply be about baseball — it’s about household.

“It is going to be a enjoyable expertise. I can not wait to see what Kim is about and the gorgeous tradition and go there… I am 100% wanting ahead to that have,” says Tatis Jr.

Supervisor Mike Shildt says that’s what makes this crew distinctive: bringing their love for the sport to a distinct stage.

“We’ve this worldwide sport now, the place we’ve got extra gamers coming over. We expose our sport internationally however we’re incorporating extra gamers internationally — that’s tremendous wholesome,” Shildt says. “Take a look at our roster: We’ve 4 languages in our clubhouse, and I feel that’s improbable.”

Whereas the main target will probably be on baseball and beginning the season sturdy, the gamers are additionally able to have some enjoyable, maybe within the type of karaoke, which is a favourite of Kim’s.

“I do not actually have one specific music, however I do like singing Korean ballad songs,” Kim says.

I requested Tatis, if he was a karaoke man.

“No! I’m most likely going to attempt to do the drums or one thing. I don’t karaoke,” Tatis Jr. says.