Hyun-soo Kim has done well when given the chance, but he still isn’t getting very many of them, even while Joey Rickard continues to struggle against righties. Press play or read below for more.
Despite comporting himself well in his very limited opportunities, Hyun-soo Kim continues to see no signs of those opportunities increasing. The O’s Korean import has seen just a single start over the team’s last seven games, and even in that one, he was pinch hit for in the sixth inning after singling and walking in three previous at-bats.
In 33 plate appearances, Kim has 10 singles, a double, and 10 walks, good for a .455 on-base percentage. He’s yet to draw a single AB against left-handed pitching, despite not being a platoon player in the KBO.
Meanwhile, Joey Rickard continues to struggle mightily against right-handers. The rookie Rule 5-er has put up a wRC+ of just 70 vs. righties, compared to 137 against southpaws, while walking half as much and striking out nearly twice as much.
[Related: Fancy Stats for Dummies – What the Heck is wRC+?]
Despite these obvious struggles, Rickard’s name might as well be written in sharpie atop the lineup card, as he’s played in every game this season, starting all but two.
The knock we’ve heard all along on Kim is that he can’t handle the fastball velocities at the MLB level. Wouldn’t it then have been a perfect time to start him on Sunday against Jared Weaver, whose fastball would barely break a wet paper towel? Yet he was nowhere to be found.
On Tuesday night, the O’s face another soft-tossing righty, Houston’s Doug Fister. It’s been three years since Fister’s average four-seamer clocked in at over 90 MPH. It would seem on the surface to be another prime opportunity for Kim to get the start.
We’ll see…but I won’t be holding my breath.
9 Responses
Rickard is an above average defender who can play all three outfield positions I don’t think he will be out of the line up any time soon
Rickard is the ‘merican dream
OK, except the fact he has accumulated -0.8 DWAR through just 45 games. That puts him on pace for ~ -2.9 DWAR over the course of the entire season sandwiching him somewhere between average Dante Bichette and Adam Dunn seasons out in left field. That sounds like some awesome defense being experienced over in Baltimore.
It’s no secret Kim is not well received by Buck or the front office. He won’t see much playing time unless injuries force Showalter’s hand.
He deserves to play, no question. Why not trade him to another team who needs an outfielder with high OBP? 7M/2yr is a good value for someone with his abilities and potential to bring the type of impact Jung Ho Kang had on the Pirates.
Buck is delusional
I want kim to play as much as I like joey rickard he has walked twice as little as kim and kim has more base hits than rickard
To Korean fans, HSK is a proven hitter and on-base machine. No surprise, he’s starting to show some of his abilities at the MLB level. I expect him to improve significantly the more ABs he gets
I don’t understand how joeys stellar spring got him the job
…Whereas Kim who had terrible spring still manages to outperform with limited at bats and still remains on the bench???
I’m a fan of Joey and his rise from rule 5 pick but starting job should be handed over to Kim. If not, trade Kim! Don’t just bench him for no good
Kim has significant upside at the top of the order with his ability to get on base…can’t imagine the damage it can have in close games
Bucks infatuation with Joey is starting to hurt this team