NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 15, 2022

Ha-Seong Kim

Petco Park

San Diego Padres

Pregame 4 Press Conference

Q. Ha-Seong, I know you came to the United States with the hope and expectations of playing postseason baseball. What were your expectations of what it would be like? How is it different from Korea, and how is it compared to what you were expecting?

HA-SEONG KIM: Obviously I've been to the postseason in Korea, but here it's different level. Obviously they have passionate fans in Korea, but here, first time in San Diego, yeah, it's been amazing, the fans cheering and everything.

Q. You've mentioned a few times how Manny has helped you feel comfortable here. In what ways did he make you feel comfortable when you got here and how has he been as a teammate?

HA-SEONG KIM: It's pretty simple. Having him next to me in the defense is just comfortable. Both on and off the field, he just makes me comfortable. It's kind of hard to explain, but he just makes me comfortable.

Q. He kind of has a way about him; you guys have this kind of playful relationship on the field. How did that come about?

HA-SEONG KIM: Obviously coming from the other side of the earth, of the country, he was the first one that took me under his wing from day one. But not just Manny, the whole clubhouse welcomed me as a family, as a brother.

So yeah, that just helped me start as a Padre in a very comfortable way.

Q. When you signed with the Padres, you sort of had this plan to play several positions, which we got to see last year, second, third, short. How beneficial has it been this year pretty much staying at shortstop?

HA-SEONG KIM: Last year, to be honest, it was really tough preparing for the game every day because I didn't know what position I was going to play or am I going to start or am I going to pinch-hit or pinch run. It was a little tough just being sharp for the game every day.

But this year knowing I'm playing every day and playing shortstop, which is my position I've played my entire career, yeah, just getting ready for the game mentally, physically, it's a lot easier for me.

Q. How much more comfortable do you feel but also just with the way you've been able to produce this year, how different does it feel on the field to you this year, the speed of the game and seeing pitches and all of that? How different does everything feel?

HA-SEONG KIM: Yeah, last year's experience definitely will help me improve every aspect of the game of baseball this year. Yeah, this year, I knew I was pretty good at defense last year, but this year, with the addition of experience under my belt, it definitely improved my game to another level, and I'm confident next year I'll be even better.

Q. Jurickson Profar, I know you're close with him, as well. What has he been like, especially as you guys tried to get into the playoffs and advance? What kind of leader is he? What kind of teammate is he?

HA-SEONG KIM: First of all, I feel like he's just a member of my family. His electric energy on the field and in the dugout definitely helps us play the game of baseball way better. I don't know, just watching him just makes me smile and makes me happy.

Q. Did you take any time to soak in the atmosphere last night, and what did you think of it? Was there any particular moment that you enjoyed with the fans here?

HA-SEONG KIM: Yeah, usually during the regular season, when you play Dodgers at home, I would see like half of the blue on the crowd. But last night, when I see all the packed house with the yellow towels waving, it gave me chills, and it gave me very proud to be a Padre moment.

Yeah, it was fun, and we're going to close out tonight.