The Atlanta Braves haven’t had much production from shortstop this year — until Ha-Seong Kim arrived. In just his second game with the team, Kim delivered a three-run homer that snapped a year-long drought at the position and gave Atlanta a reason to believe he’s more than a short-term fix.
Kim delivers first Braves shortstop homer since 2024
Kim’s home run was the first by a Braves shortstop since Orlando Arcia went deep on Sept. 20, 2024, against the Marlins. 680 The Fan highlighted the milestone, noting it was the first homer from the position all year.
The blast came after Atlanta claimed Kim off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month, betting on both his Gold Glove defense and the $16 million contract he’s expected to carry into 2026.
Before Kim’s arrival, Braves shortstops had gone the entire 2025 season without a home run. They were hitting just .217 with a .524 OPS — numbers that ranked dead last in Major League Baseball.
Atlanta’s lineup finally gets a lift at shortstop
Since joining Atlanta, Kim has hit .313 with a .766 OPS over 14 games, instantly raising the floor of a position that has been a revolving door since Dansby Swanson’s departure. His steady bat and elite glove have already drawn comparisons to some of the Braves’ most valuable midseason additions in recent years.
The Braves took the risk of claiming Kim off waivers with confidence he wouldn’t walk away from his contract. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Atlanta believed Kim would not opt out of the deal and would remain under club control for next season.
Could the Braves lock Kim in with an early extension?
Kim has a $16 million player option for 2026, which he’s widely expected to exercise after missing much of this season with the Rays due to injury. But given how quickly he’s stabilized the position, the Braves may look at extending him beyond that.
As Sportstalk ATL’s Chase Irle pointed out, Kim has been “a revelation at the shortstop position” since joining the Braves, combining a strong glove with consistent contact at the plate.
Atlanta has had success with proactive deals before, locking in core players long before free agency. If Kim can stay healthy, an early extension could prevent the shortstop position from becoming a weakness again — and turn this late-season gamble into a long-term solution.
