"Song Sung-moon has become noticeably stronger, but...Outside is a potential downside"

[MyDaily = Reporter Kim Jin-sung] "The outside is a potential disadvantage."

Song Sung-moon (29, San Diego Padres) is targeting the Major League in earnest. MLB.com and other U.S. media reported on the 20th (Korea time) that Song Sung-moon agreed to a three-year, $13 million contract with San Diego. The exact contract size, content, and conditions can be determined when San Diego's official announcement is made.

Song said, "Average is not a certain player. Since our debut in 2015, he has been such a multi-man through 2023. However, he played in 142 games during the 2024 season with a batting average of 0.340 with 19 homers, 104 RBIs, 88 runs and 21 steals, and OPS of 0.927. It was no coincidence. He played in all 144 games this season, posting a batting average of 0.315 with 26 homers, 90 RBIs, 103 runs and 25 steals with an OPS of 0.917. Based on this, he swept all year-end award ceremonies. He won the third baseman's defense award and the Golden Glove award.

Song Sung-moon is a third baseman with a very good balance of offense and defense. He has shown that he can do 20-20 steadily in Korea. However, things are expected to change again in the United States. Throw a much faster and stronger fastball, and throw a much faster breaking ball. Song Sung-moon is expected to need time to adapt.

Kim Ha-sung (30, Atlanta Braves), Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants), and Kim Hye-sung (26, Los Angeles Dodgers), who joined the Major League earlier, also experienced this situation. Kim Hye-sung changed his batting form when the spring camp started, and proactively responded, while Lee stuck to his form. There is no correct answer, and hitting is difficult. Needless to say, in the Major League, hitting is difficult.

The fan graph analyzed Song Seong-moon in detail on the 20th. Basically, he looked at him as a utility agent as predicted by Deer Slatik Dennis Lin. San Diego's star Manny Machado will keep the third base. Song Sung-moon is expected to play mostly as a first baseman or second baseman. Luis Arraez has entered the FA market, and Jake Cronenworth is rumored to be traded.

"Song has played utility roles before and gained experience in all three non-shortstop infield positions. Most of them played third base, but all three positions are equipped with skills that can expect average or better performance," the fan graph said.

The fan graph continued, "Throwing ability at third base can give you a plus score. He moves gracefully and flexibly, and maintains stable play even if he raises one leg from various angles. However, it may be necessary to readjust the speed from the Major League Baseball. Perhaps the biggest concern is that Song Seong-moon is a little small for a first baseman. If the first baseman is tall, it is easy for other fielders to throw. Song Seong-moon is not very tall at 183 centimeters.

In addition, FanGraphs stated, "San Diego did not recruit Song Seong-moon as its main corner infielder. Despite his .327/.397/.524 batting average and 14.3 percent strikeout rate over the past two years, he is not sure if he will be able to make enough contact. His strong performance in the last two years is a gift of much intention. Now the batting has become noticeably stronger, putting a load on his back and hips, and he has taken clear advantages. However, there are still potential downsides to pitches that cover the outer half of his home plate."

In other words, he has an outside weakness. The fan graph said, "Song starts off pretty aggressively towards first base at the end of his swing. He takes a big leg kick, reverse turns his torso, and tears it hard. These swing characteristics give him plus full power, but his contact rate is slightly lower. Of course, he also showed his ability to make long balls when the outside off-speed pitch goes off the pitch."