Ha-Seong Kim: Salary, Contract, Trade, Padres and Injury Update
Ha-Seong Kim has taken a winding path through Major League Baseball, going from a highly regarded infielder with the San Diego Padres to the Tampa Bay Rays and, eventually, the Atlanta Braves. His latest chapter produced one of the biggest moments of his difficult 2026 season.
On Aug. 26, Kim delivered a pinch-hit walk-off single in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving Atlanta a dramatic 6-5 victory. It was his first hit since June 3 and came after a lengthy stretch in which injuries and limited playing time had disrupted his season.
The 30-year-old shortstop entered the game hitting only .066, making the clutch hit particularly surprising. MLB’s current player page lists Kim at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, with a career .235 batting average, 52 home runs and 85 stolen bases.
Ha-Seong Kim Salary
Ha-Seong Kim’s salary for the 2026 MLB season is $20 million.
After spending part of the 2025 season with Atlanta, Kim re-signed with the Braves on a one-year, $20 million contract for 2026. Baseball-Reference lists the deal as one year and $20 million, with Kim under contract through the 2026 season and eligible for free agency in 2027.
The contract reflected the value Atlanta placed on Kim’s defensive ability and previous MLB production. However, his 2026 campaign has been heavily affected by injury and limited opportunities.
Ha-Seong Kim Contract With the Braves
Kim signed his one-year, $20 million Braves contract on Dec. 15, 2025.
The agreement came after he finished the 2025 season in Atlanta following his move from Tampa Bay. The Braves had claimed Kim off waivers from the Rays on Sept. 1, 2025, rather than acquiring him through a conventional trade.
That distinction is important when discussing the Ha-Seong Kim trade question. His move from the Padres to Tampa Bay was free agency, while his move from Tampa Bay to Atlanta came via waivers.
Was Ha-Seong Kim Traded From the Padres?
No. Ha-Seong Kim was not traded by the Padres.
Kim joined San Diego as a free agent after being posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. He signed a four-year contract with the Padres on Dec. 31, 2020, becoming the team’s first Korean-born position player.
His time in San Diego lasted through the 2024 season. The Padres and Kim declined their mutual option after the 2024 campaign, allowing him to enter free agency.
Kim then signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in February 2025. Later that year, the Rays placed him on waivers, and Atlanta claimed him.
So the career path was:
Kiwoom Heroes → San Diego Padres → Tampa Bay Rays → Atlanta Braves
There was no direct Padres trade involving Kim.
Ha-Seong Kim and the Padres
Kim became an important part of the Padres after arriving from South Korea in 2021. His versatility allowed him to play shortstop, second base and third base.
His defense became one of his biggest strengths. He won the 2023 Gold Glove Award, while also establishing himself as a valuable baserunner and versatile infielder. MLB’s player biography also notes that he was a Gold Glove finalist in 2022.
During his Padres career, Kim developed from a relatively unknown international signing into one of the better defensive infielders in the National League.
Why Did Ha-Seong Kim Leave the Padres?
Kim’s Padres tenure ended after the 2024 season when the mutual option in his contract was declined.
That decision sent him into free agency. He subsequently signed with Tampa Bay, where an injury limited his first season with the Rays.
Kim’s departure from San Diego therefore was not the result of a trade. It was a contract and free-agency decision.
Ha-Seong Kim Injury Update
Injury has been one of the biggest storylines surrounding Kim in 2026.
After signing with Atlanta, Kim suffered a serious injury to his right middle finger after slipping on ice while in South Korea. He underwent surgery on Jan. 18 to repair a torn tendon. The injury kept him out of the beginning of the Braves’ season.
MLB Trade Rumors reported that Kim was expected to miss approximately four to five months following the surgery.
He eventually returned to the Braves lineup on May 12 after completing his rehabilitation.
The injury continued to affect him during the season. Kim later missed roughly a month because of inflammation in the surgically repaired finger. According to the Korea Times, that absence stretched from early July into early August.
Ha-Seong Kim Walk-Off Hit vs. Dodgers
Kim’s most memorable moment of the 2026 season came on Aug. 26 against the Dodgers.
With Atlanta and Los Angeles tied late, Kim came off the bench as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning. Facing Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott, he eventually lined a single to left field.
Lane Thomas scored from second base, giving Atlanta a 6-5 walk-off victory.
The hit was especially meaningful because Kim had not appeared in a game since Aug. 15 and had not recorded a hit since June 3. He entered the contest just 5-for-76 on the season.
The walk-off also helped Atlanta secure its third consecutive win and the season series against Los Angeles.
Ha-Seong Kim 2026 Stats
Kim’s 2026 offensive numbers have been far below the level he established earlier in his career.
MLB currently lists him at:
- Batting average: .066
- Home runs: 0
- RBIs: 4
- Stolen bases: 1
- OPS: .231
- At-bats: 76
His career MLB numbers are considerably stronger, with a .235 batting average, 52 home runs, 221 RBIs and 85 stolen bases entering the latest update.
The contrast helps explain why his walk-off hit against the Dodgers was such a major story. Despite his struggles at the plate, Kim still possesses a reputation as an experienced defender and versatile infielder.
What Happened to Ha-Seong Kim?
The simplest explanation for Kim’s difficult 2026 season is a combination of injury, missed time and limited offensive production.
His finger injury delayed his season debut. After returning in May, he struggled to establish consistency at the plate. He later dealt with inflammation in the same surgically repaired finger and missed additional time.
By late August, his role had diminished, but Atlanta still turned to him in a crucial situation against Los Angeles.
Kim responded with perhaps his biggest hit of the season.
Ha-Seong Kim’s MLB Career
Kim began his professional career in South Korea with the Nexen Heroes, now known as the Kiwoom Heroes. He was selected in the third round of the 2014 KBO Draft out of Yatep High School.
He made his MLB debut with San Diego in 2021.
Over the following seasons, Kim became known for his defensive versatility. He could play shortstop, second base and third base, giving his managers flexibility while also providing speed on the bases.
His 2023 season was particularly important. Kim earned his first Gold Glove Award and established himself as a key contributor for the Padres.
His MLB journey later took him to Tampa Bay and Atlanta, where he has continued trying to regain his previous form.
Is Ha-Seong Kim Still With the Braves?
Yes. Ha-Seong Kim is currently with the Atlanta Braves.
He is playing under his one-year, $20 million contract for the 2026 season. Baseball-Reference lists him as under contract through 2026 and headed toward free agency in 2027.
His future beyond 2026 will depend heavily on his health and performance during the remainder of the season.
Ha-Seong Kim’s Career Outlook
Kim’s 2026 season has been difficult, but the walk-off against the Dodgers provides a reminder of the experience and defensive value he can bring to a roster.
His offensive numbers remain concerning, particularly compared with his career production. However, he has already demonstrated that he can contribute in important moments.
For Atlanta, the priority will be keeping Kim healthy and determining how much he can contribute down the stretch.
If he can regain his previous form, his versatility could once again make him a valuable MLB free agent heading into the 2026-27 offseason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ha-Seong Kim’s salary?
Ha-Seong Kim is earning $20 million in 2026 under his one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.
Was Ha-Seong Kim traded by the Padres?
No. Kim was not traded by the Padres. San Diego signed him as a free agent in 2020 after he was posted by the Kiwoom Heroes. His Padres contract ended after the 2024 season.
What happened to Ha-Seong Kim’s finger?
Kim tore a tendon in his right middle finger after slipping on ice in South Korea in January 2026. He underwent surgery and missed the beginning of the season.
When did Ha-Seong Kim return in 2026?
Kim was activated from the injured list on May 12, 2026, and made his season debut against the Chicago Cubs.
Did Ha-Seong Kim hit a walk-off in 2026?
Yes. On Aug. 26, Kim hit a pinch-hit walk-off single in the ninth inning to give the Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers.
Is Ha-Seong Kim a free agent after 2026?
Yes. Baseball-Reference lists Kim as under contract through 2026 and eligible for free agency in 2027.
Conclusion
Ha-Seong Kim’s 2026 season has been a roller coaster. The Braves shortstop entered the year with a $20 million contract but began the season recovering from finger surgery. After returning in May, he struggled offensively and later missed more time because of inflammation in the surgically repaired finger.
Yet Kim produced a spectacular response on Aug. 26, delivering a walk-off single against the Dodgers to give Atlanta a 6-5 win.
His current statistics do not resemble the production that made him a Gold Glove winner with the Padres, but his latest clutch hit shows why Atlanta continues to value his experience and defensive versatility.
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