Everyone is attracted to Kim Hye-sung. Roberts fell in love with him, but he's going to let him defend center field. Why?
Feb 18, 2025
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A few days later, first baseman Freddie Freeman said "He's fast and athletic. I heard that he has the lowest body fat percentage among our team players.
Regarding this, MLB.com reported on the 18th (Korean time) 'Kim Hye-sung is already melting into the camp. He has elements to succeedIn an article titled 'The Dodgers members describe Kim Hye-sung's first impression very consistently.
At the beginning of the spring training in Glendale, Arizona, the U.S., local media gave high marks to Kim Hye-sung's adaptability and defense.
MLB.com also added 'In the early days of the big league camp, Kim Hye-sung has made a special impression in defense. He won a total of four Golden Gloves in South Korea as a shortstop in 2021 and as a second baseman in 2022-2024. 'But there are still some questions surrounding him. He added, 'What position will he play in, how will he target big league pitchers?'
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Roberts said, `I think he can definitely win a major league game just by defending"The problem concerns the adaptation part. What is good for him? What is beneficial for the Dodgers? I can't answer it right now."
MLB.com says, `If he shows that he can hit well in the lineup every day, he will be able to secure the main second baseman. Second base may be the weakest position the Dodgers have failed to resolve since trading Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds, predicting that if Kim Ha-sung is not convinced in batting, he could be used as a left-handed super utility resource.
In the end, it means that the position will be determined by the extent to which he or she demonstrates his batting skills in the exhibition games. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
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MLB.com says Kim will prepare center field as well as second and third base, according to Roberts. He said, "I've never seen a center fielder in the KBO, but he played in 44 games as a left fielder in 2020, and before entering high school, he grew up as an outfielder, making center field more comfortable than corner outfield.'
"Kim Ha-sung is said to have good hitting skills at bat, and the Dodgers appreciate his basic skills and expect him to adapt faster in the Major League at the right time," he said, adding that "Kim Hye-sung is currently training to hit with the help of hitting coach Aaron Bates."
Coach Bates said, `Kim Hye-sung has the qualities to succeed. In other words, he is adjusting well. Obviously he was a great player in Korea, and he's only making some adjustments because he has all the qualities. In the meantime, we need to make sure that he is mentally free and comfortable" he evaluated.
During defensive training on the 17th, Mookie Betts drew attention by inducing the fans to "Let's go Dodgers!" Kim Ha-sung caught a ground ball in the last order and threw it to first base with his running self, before giving high fives with Betts and Freddie Freeman.
In response, Roberts said, `Mookie is having fun training with Kim Hye-sung. I think I'm trying to put some environmental or pressure on him"In other words, it tells us that our players are attracted to Kim Hye-sung," he said.
Kim Hye-sung said, `Everything is new, but thank you for the fans' welcome. He shouted "Kim! Kim!" and called my name, and he said, "Thank you very much."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
