Song Seong-moon, Triple-A 3-hit game → Batting average nearing .300! Powerless protest against ML call-up... 'Why on earth' isn't San Diego budging

*This content was translated by AI.

Song Seong-moon (30, El Paso Chihuahuas), waiting for a Major League call-up, staged another powerless protest with a 3-hit game.

On the 23rd (Korean time), Song started at third spot and designated hitter in a home game against the Reno Aces at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, recording 5 at-bats, 3 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk, and 1 run scored.

As a result, Song's Triple-A season batting average jumped from 0.271 to 0.293. His on-base percentage also rose from 0.346 to 0.369, and his slugging percentage increased from 0.300 to 0.320.

In a high-scoring game with a combined 33 hits, Song's team El Paso defeated Reno 13-11. El Paso is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, while Reno is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The start was promising. In the bottom of the first inning with El Paso leading 1-0 and one out, Song hit a changeup from right-handed pitcher Dylan Lee on the third pitch for a base hit to left field. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch, then scored on a ground ball by Nate Mondou after Marcos Castanon's single to left field, giving El Paso a 2-0 lead.

After being retired on a foul fly to third base in the bottom of the second, Song hit a sharp slider from Lee on the outside corner in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and runners on first and second, driving in a run with a single to left field.

After being retired on a fly ball to the infield in the bottom of the fifth, Song delivered his final hit of the game in the bottom of the seventh. He hit a 95.9 mph (154.3 km/h) fastball from left-handed pitcher Bradden Garcia to left-center field. For the first time, he made solid contact with a 98.4 mph (approximately 158.3 km/h) pitch.

In the bottom of the ninth, he drew a walk against Geraldo Carillo, reaching base four times. This marked his eighth multi-hit game of the season and his second 3-hit game.

Song signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the San Diego Padres via the Major League posting system in December last year. The contract includes $2.5 million in 2026, $3 million in 2027, $3.5 million in 2028, and $4 million in 2029, with an opt-out clause available after 2028. A mutual option of $7 million in 2030 allows for a potential five-year tenure.

He was expected as an infield utility player with explosive power. However, a strained abdominal muscle during training delayed his season start, causing him to miss the San Diego Padres' opening day roster.

Although Song is gradually regaining his hitting form, San Diego remains unmoved. The primary reason is their solid infield depth. The lineup includes Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, and Gavin Sheets, with Miguel Andujar and Ty France available as designated hitters and backups.

Additionally, Song's detailed statistics are cited as another reason for the lack of urgency in calling him up. While it is true that Song is demonstrating above-average contact ability with a batting average nearing .300, he has failed to produce high-quality hits, with his last extra-base hit being a double on the 11th, failing to attract San Diego's attention.

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*This content was translated by AI.