Ha-seong Kim makes play of the night in Padres-Marlins game [Video]

Watch Ha-seong Kim make epic catch in Padres-Marlins game

For better or worse, baseball is all about the small moments. In a long, slow game, the quickest flashes of excitement can define the contest.

And in the San Diego Padres–Miami Marlins game on Saturday night, a small moment turned from good-incredible to bad-incredible in the blink of an eye.

In the top of the sixth, Padres starter Sean Manaea faced Marlins centerfielder Bryan De La Cruz, and De La Cruz rocketed one down the third-base line. Ha-seong Kim, playing third base (Manny Machado was the designated hitter), made one of the most astounding catches you’ll ever see.

Unfortunately, his throw to first was a bit off, but let’s focus on the catch, instead:

This angle somehow makes it even more impressive:

Kim has stepped up so much this season, filling in for Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop and two-time Gold Glover Manny Machado at third. Those are some big cleats to fill, but it’s not surprising that Kim is up to the task, as he won three consecutive KBO League Golden Gloves between 2018-20, before being posted to MLB and signing his four-year deal with the Padres in December 2020.

The 26-year-old infielder has a .815 OPS, four doubles, a triple, three home runs, 14 runs scored, and 11 RBI over his first 21 games of the year. He’s on pace to outdo his rookie season last year, when he doubled 12 times, tripled twice, homered eight times, scored 27 runs, and drove in 34 in 117 games.