The stage was set for drama at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2026, as the Atlanta Braves squared off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS). All eyes were on Kim Ha-seong, Atlanta’s slick-fielding shortstop, who took the field as the ninth batter in the order. Though his bat remained quiet, Kim’s glove stole the spotlight with a pair of jaw-dropping defensive plays that had fans and analysts buzzing.
On a night when Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal—acquired in a headline-making trade just before the postseason—was nearly untouchable, Kim Ha-seong faced the daunting task of sparking Atlanta’s offense and holding down the fort at shortstop. The 31-year-old infielder, coming off a regular season marked by struggles at the plate and a return from right shoulder surgery, found his greatest impact in the field rather than in the batter’s box.
Kim’s first at-bat in the third inning saw him fall behind in the count against Skubal. After working the count to two strikes, he fouled off a 99 mph fastball, only to be set down on a fifth-pitch changeup for a swinging strikeout. It was a tough matchup—Skubal, a Cy Young winner and arguably the league’s top lefty, had been selected as the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter over even their prized acquisition Yamamoto. Kim’s postseason hitting woes continued, as his last playoff hit dated all the way back to October 23, 2022, in the NL Championship Series.
Still, Kim showed patience in his second plate appearance. In the sixth inning, with Atlanta trailing 1-2, he battled Skubal to a full count before drawing a walk. Any hopes of a rally were quickly dashed, however, as the next batter grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Kim at second base. That would mark the end of his offensive contributions for the night, as he was replaced in the eighth inning by pinch hitter Lane Thomas.
But if Kim’s bat was quiet, his glove was anything but. In the fifth inning, with a runner on first and two outs, Dodgers catcher Will Smith sent a sharply hit grounder deep into the hole between third and short. Braves third baseman Austin Riley dove but couldn’t come up with it. Kim, ranging onto the outfield grass, fielded the ball with a smooth backhand and—without taking a step—fired a bullet to first base. The throw, clocked at 85.1 mph, was right on the money, ending the inning and drawing gasps from the crowd. According to Baseball Savant, Kim’s throwing velocity had improved significantly since his post-2024 surgery, a positive sign for his future defensive prowess.
Then came the play everyone would be talking about. In the bottom of the sixth, Dodgers star Freddie Freeman laced a line drive up the middle that looked destined for center field. Statcast pegged the ball’s expected batting average (xBA) at a whopping .930—meaning there was a 93% chance it would fall for a hit. Kim, stationed just behind second base, leaped at the last second and snared the ball out of the air, robbing Freeman and preserving a critical out. It was, by the numbers, the toughest out recorded by any defender in the game.
“Kim Ha-seong’s defense was simply sensational tonight,” commented one analyst on the broadcast, echoing the sentiments of fans who marveled at his quick reflexes and improved arm strength. “He’s showing why he’s a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop, even if the hits aren’t falling for him right now.”
Despite Kim’s highlights, Atlanta ultimately fell 5-3 to the Dodgers. Skubal was masterful, going six innings while allowing just two hits, two walks, and one run, striking out seven Braves along the way. The only blemish on his line was a solo homer by Braves catcher Sean Murphy in the sixth. The Dodgers’ offense, meanwhile, brought the thunder. Teoscar Hernandez broke the scoreless tie in the fourth with a two-run homer, and the sixth inning saw Kyle Tucker launch a two-run shot of his own, followed immediately by a solo blast from Max Muncy. That outburst put LA up 5-1 and left Atlanta scrambling to catch up.
The Braves mounted a late surge in the ninth, with Ozzie Albies crushing a two-run homer off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to narrow the gap. But the rally fizzled, and the Dodgers closed out the win to claim a 1-0 series lead. For Atlanta, the loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially as their offense struggled to get going against one of the league’s best pitching staffs.
Kim Ha-seong’s postseason stat line now stands at 0-for-5 with two walks through three games. It’s a far cry from the production Atlanta hoped for when they signed him to a one-year, $20 million deal before the season, but his defensive wizardry continues to make him a valuable asset—especially on a big stage like October baseball. His regular season numbers—.116 batting average, 15 hits in 51 games, two stolen bases, 11 runs scored, and nine RBIs—reflect a year of adversity, but his glove remains as sharp as ever.
Interestingly, the much-anticipated “Korean Derby” between Kim Ha-seong and Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-seong didn’t materialize in Game 1. Kim Hye-seong, who was promoted back to the Dodgers’ roster after a stint in Triple-A, was included on the NLDS 26-man roster but did not see action, remaining on the bench throughout the contest.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will send Blake Snell to the mound for Game 2, while the Braves are expected to counter with veteran lefty Chris Sale. Atlanta will be hoping for a spark—perhaps even a long-awaited postseason hit from Kim Ha-seong—to even the series before returning home.
For now, Kim’s bat may be cold, but his glove is red-hot. If his defense is any indication, Atlanta fans have reason to believe their shortstop’s October magic is just getting started. The NLDS is far from over, and with more highlight-reel plays like these, Kim Ha-seong’s postseason legend might just be about to grow.