Ha-Seong Kim’s arrival has given Atlanta a credible shortstop with Gold Glove-caliber defense and a usable bat, stabilizing a position that dragged the middle of the lineup. In a small sample, he’s hit around .313 with a .766 OPS, delivering a rare dose of power at short. Atlanta is weighing an early extension, leveraging a $16 million option for 2026 and the potential to dodge costly free-agent shortfalls if health cooperates.

Acquired off waivers from the Rays, Kim’s presence has shifted the Braves’ expectations, easing the bite of past shortstop struggles after Dansby Swanson’s departure and Orlando Arcia’s limited impact. If he sustains health, this move could prove a shrewd, franchise-defining bet with tangible fantasy upside across time, averages, and defensive value.

For fantasy managers, Kim’s blend of playing time, defense, and improving bat makes him a sneaky core piece in 2025-26, provided health holds. The extension chatter adds intrigue: a long-term deal could lock in value while keeping cost-controlled upside in a Braves lineup that values both defense and production.