Braves’ Ha-Seong Kim Facing Backlash During Giants Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jun 17, 2026 3:23 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves have been one of the best teams in baseball this year, well on their way toward returning to the MLB playoffs.

However, there have still been plenty of disappointing players this year, none more so than shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. The Braves signed Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract this past offseason to become the elite everyday option up the middle. It could not have gone worse since then.

Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger shortly after signing the deal, after slipping on ice. After a lengthy rehab, he is back, but has really struggled to produce.

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Entering Wednesday, Kim was in the midst of a 1-for-25 slump. His overall numbers this year are difficult to look at. Across 17 games, he has posted a .089 batting average, .177 on-base percentage, .267 OPS and zero home runs.

When Kim struck out for the second time during Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants, Braves fans booed. In the replies on social media, Kim continued to face backlash from fans not in attendance.

"He deserves it. There’s no reason to play him at this point. I don’t wanna hear about the contract and his history. He’s horrendous," wrote a fan.

Another added, "Easily the worst acquisition of the offseason."

One more said, "He's terrible. He deserves it."

"Lead is only going to be 5 1/2 games after today so people are going to be pretty upset with Kim," said another, referencing the division lead dwindling.

Ha-Seong Kim hearing it some from the folks behind the dugout after he strikes out for the second time this afternoon.

Kim now with an .086 average and is 1-for-his-last-27.
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) June 17, 2026

While the backlash is understandable given his performance, there is still time for him to turn it around. However, given the Braves' ambitions of making a deep postseason run, he may be running out of time before the team considers making a change at shortstop.

Fortunately for Atlanta, they are only locked into Kim for this year only, and his contract expires at season's end.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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