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Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers) is expected to have a chance to make his major league debut sooner than expected. Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers infield is not in normal condition. If Kim Hye-sung is ready, he can get a lucky call-up opportunity. The U.S. is also expecting such a surprise scenario.
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Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers) is expected to have a chance to make his major league debut sooner than expected. Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers infield is not in normal condition. If Kim Hye-sung is ready, he can get a lucky call-up opportunity. The U.S. is also expecting such a surprise scenario.
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Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers) is expected to have a chance to make his major league debut sooner than expected. Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers infield is not in normal condition. If Kim Hye-sung is ready, he can get a lucky call-up opportunity. The U.S. is also expecting such a surprise scenario.
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Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers) is expected to have a chance to make his major league debut sooner than expected. Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers infield is not in normal condition. If Kim Hye-sung is ready, he can get a lucky call-up opportunity. The U.S. is also expecting such a surprise scenario.
The Orange County Register, a U.S. media outlet in LA, said on the 28th (Korea time) that `Kike Hernandez is suffering from a recent disease' and" Hernandez was originally scheduled to start against Detroit on the 28th, but was unable to appear on the field due to pain accompanied by vomiting. He will undergo a re-examination on the 29th,' the report said.
MLB Trade Rumors then said "If Hernandez's symptoms are the same as what Mookie Betts suffered, the possibility of being on the injured list cannot be ruled out. If Hernandez, who was scheduled to be used when a left-handed pitcher comes out, is out, Chris Taylor or Miguel Rojas may fill the gap. If he is on the injured list, Kim Hye-sung, who is in the minor league for the season, may have a chance to make his big league debut."
The Dodgers have won three consecutive games until the 28th. After winning two consecutive games against the Chicago Cubs 'Tokyo Series', he won 5-4 against Detroit on the 28th for the first time in the U.S. mainland.
However, unlike this winning streak, the current situation of the infield is not very good. It started with Mookie Betts. Betts went on an expedition to Japan in mid-March and suffered from mysterious vomiting and indigestion. He was scheduled to play in the opening game against the Cubs on the 18th, but was excluded from the lineup due to vomiting and dehydration, and eventually returned to the United States early.
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L.A. Dodgers' main shortstop Mookie Betts, who suffered from gastrointestinal disease in the early stages of the opening.
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Even after coming to the United States, he did not recover quickly. In the end, Betts suffered from losing 8.2 kilograms in about two weeks. Fortunately, his condition barely improved as he was close to the opening of the regular league, and he also started against Detroit and scored one hit, one walk, and one point in three at-bats.
But when Betts recovered, Hernandez fell this time. He showed almost the same symptoms as Betts and failed to play against Detroit on the 28th. Roberts said, `I heard reports that I didn't sleep well, I didn't eat food. He is not in good condition, such as vomiting. I hope you will settle down and recover quickly."
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| LA Dodgers Kike Hernandez has also recently suffered from a gastrointestinal disease similar to Mookie Betts. AP Yonhap News |
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Following the main shortstop Betts, the Dodgers are in a pretty chaotic situation even during their consecutive wins due to the disease symptoms of Hernandez, an all-around utility agent. As it is similar to the epidemic pattern, there has been an atmosphere of concern about who else will experience these symptoms.
However, this situation may develop in Kim Hye-sung's favor. If Hernandez's recovery is slow, Kim Hye-sung may get a chance as a backup infielder. There is a good chance of realization. Kim Hye-sung, who is recognized by Roberts for his defensive ability even though he may not hit.
In early January, Kim Hye-sung signed a three-year, three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for up to five years, including two-year club options, and took a step closer to his dream of becoming a `major leaguer.' At one point, he was mentioned as a candidate for the Dodgers' main second baseman. In particular, when the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux, the existing second baseman, shortly after signing Kim Hye-sung, expectations for Kim Hye-sung's role grew.
However, the wall of Major League Baseball was somewhat higher to enter immediately. In the exhibition game held during the spring camp, Kim Hye-sung did his best, but he still showed his poor batting performance.
Manager Roberts and other Dodgers coaching staff initially ordered a full revision of their batting posture from the beginning of the spring camp, pointing out that Kim Hye-sung needs to change his batting form in order to properly target Major League pitchers' balls.
It's not an easy mission. The hitting posture should come out naturally from the body through long practice, but it is very difficult to get used to it in a short period of time. In addition, it was not a partial correction, it was a total correction.
In the end, Kim Hye-sung had a batting average of 0.207 (6 hits in 29 at-bats), one home run, three RBIs, six runs, four walks, 11 strikeouts, two steals, and an OPS of 0.613 in 15 spring training games. It was not enough stat to make the MLB opening entry. However, hopeful elements are also included. Kim, who was extremely sluggish in February, recovered with a batting average of 0.333 and an OPS of 0.945 in the nine games she played in March. It was proof that he was getting used to the modified batting form to some extent.
However, Kim Hye-sung could not avoid going to the Minor League in the end. In fact, it's not unexpected. He was not a character who appealed with a huge hit in the KBO League. Kim Hye-sung's strengths and appeal points are sophistication, defensive ability, and speed. If Kim Hye-sung strengthens this part further in the minor league and completes the revision of his batting form, it was a common prediction in the region that he is likely to receive a call-up opportunity in the future.
However, as a series of gastrointestinal diseases of existing players have popped up as a new variable, Kim Hye-sung's fate has also changed. If Kim Hye-sung shows good batting skills from the beginning in the Triple-A game, he can expect to be called up to the Major League in early April. When you need an infield backup to call up right away, if Kim Hye-sung is at the top of the candidate list, you can immediately get a chance to make your major league debut.
Therefore, we have to pour out all our energy at the beginning of Triple-A. Kim Hye-sung, who went to Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets under the Dodgers, will start his minor league schedule for the 2025 season with an away game against the Sugarland Space Cowboys at Constellation Field in Sugarland, Texas, on the morning of the 29th. Sugarland is a triple-A team under the Houston Astros.
If Kim Hye-sung appeals to his strengths as much as possible, such as stable defense, shrewd base play, and elaborate hitting skills, it is worth expecting an unexpected early call-up. It is expected that Kim Hye-sung will be able to take a call-up opportunity on his own.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
