ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 05: Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves runs back to the dugout during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves made a major investment in a former Gold Glove shortstop for this season as the team continues searching for an infield anchor following the departure of franchise option Dansby Swanson several years ago.
Unfortunately, that addition has not performed as the team hoped this season.
After agreeing to a one-year, $20 million contract with the Braves, Ha-Seong Kim’s first season in Atlanta has been defined by injury, inconsistent production and a trip to the minors as the Braves have continued relying on other options at the shortstop position. With the postseason approaching, however, one of Atlanta’s most respected veterans weighed in on Kim’s efforts, making it clear how the clubhouse feels about the team’s disappointing investment.
Atlanta Braves Superstar Chris Sale Sends Ha-Seong Kim Message After $20 Million Disappointment
A surprising injury made Kim’s transition to Atlanta difficult almost immediately.
“Kim signed his one-year, $20 million deal this winter and then tore a ligament in his right middle finger when he slipped on ice in South Korea a couple of weeks later,” Mark Bowman recalled for MLB.com. “He missed the first six weeks of the season, struggled mightily for two months, then spent July trying to find his swing at the Triple-A level.”
The Braves have since gotten some encouraging moments from Kim, including a dramatic walk-off hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers in August, but his overall season remains far below expectations.
But Kim’s struggles have not stopped him from putting in extra work, something superstar pitcher Chris Sale praised while the Braves were preparing for the final stretch.
“This guy has worn out that batting cage — I mean, absolutely worn it out,” Sale said after a notable complete-game shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers late last month, according to The Athletic’s Jesus Cano. “We got this fancy pitching machine thing that has the screen and all that, he’s probably got our money’s worth in that thing over the last couple months.”
Atlanta Braves’ $20 Million Disappointment Expected To Leave Team Soon
The Braves entered September with a sizable lead in the National League East, giving Kim an opportunity to contribute to a team that remains focused on October rather than simply evaluating the veteran’s contract.
His walk-off single against Los Angeles demonstrated that he can still provide an important moment, even if his overall offensive numbers have fallen well short of what Atlanta expected when it signed him.
But the clock is surely ticking on Kim’s time with the team.
“The next month will likely mark the end of Kim’s tenure in Atlanta,” Cano added. “It hasn’t been the season he envisioned, but he still has a chance to make the most with whatever big moment awaits.”
For the Braves, a final big moment in the playoffs could reshape how Kim’s disappointing season is ultimately remembered. But as Sale made plain, teammates will remember Kim as a hard worker despite the poor results.
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