Roberts' cold and unusual remarks suggest Kim Hye-sung's trip to the minor league

Mar 10, 2025

"Train to Tokyo? We're still discussing."

Will you take an international flight to Tokyo or a domestic flight to the minor leagues. The final destination of LA Dodgers' Kim Hye-sung (26) is still under wraps. At this point, it is true that the negative outlook is greater than the positive one.

In particular, LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' remarks in this regard are unusual. He still doesn't seem sure about Kim Hye-sung. This is because they think they are not yet acclimated to the Major League. Considering Kim Hye-sung's performance in the exhibition game and Roberts' remarks so far, it seems highly likely that he will ride 'domestic flight' rather than 'international flight'.

Kim Hye-sung hit a good ball in the exhibition game for the first time in a long time. He also achieved multi-base hits, including his first timely hit in 13 games. In particular, it proved that Roberts's 'fastball coping ability' has improved to some extent.

Kim Hye-sung came out as a substitute in the 2025 MLB exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona on the 10th (Korea time) and recorded a relatively good performance of one hit, two RBIs and one walk in one at-bats.

Kim Hye-sung, who appeared in the 6th inning as a logarithmic ratio in the 2025 MLB exhibition game against Oakland on the 10th, entered his first at-bat in the bottom of the 7th inning. MLB Capture

Nevertheless, the batting average still remains in the 10% range. On this day, Kim Hye-sung came out as a shortstop in the top of the sixth inning while waiting on the bench. He then entered the first at-bat in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and a full base chance when the team was trailing 3-7. Kim Hye-sung hit a timely two-run hit after a persistent game against right-handed fastball pitcher Mitchell Ohtanez. In the unfavorable situation of ball count 1B2S, he cut the fourth and fifth fastballs in a row, showing his fastball coping ability and crisis management ability. Ohtanez induced a swing and miss with a low slider on his body for the sixth pitch as the fastball, which was the game ball, continued to be cut.

However, Kim Hye-sung's pioneering eye was sharp. He sharply caught what was out of the strike zone and picked out the ball without throwing a bat. In the end, Ohtanez chose the fastball again. 97.1 miles per hour (about 156.2 km) fastball. However, the control of the ball shook and came in at a perfect height. A fastball without control is sufficient to strike. Kim Hye-sung hit a timely hit to the middle field. It had a launch angle of 21 degrees and a batting speed of 75.3 miles. It is the result of accurately responding with technology rather than strength. In the meantime, two runners homered, and Kim Hye-sung scored two RBIs.

Kim Hye-sung also showed a sharp eye in his second at-bat in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kim Hye-sung, who faced Taiwanese right-hander Joao Chen, caught a 95.1 mph sinker over the strike zone on the eighth pitch from the full count. In the end, he got on base for the second time on the day with a walk. Still, the batting average in exhibition games is only around 10% (0.192, 5 hits in 26 times at bat).

Kim Hye-sung showed Roberts two things on this day. He proved in two at-bats that his ability to cope with fastballs and his pioneering eyes have improved compared to before.

However, this alone does not seem to be enough to convince Roberts. This is because Roberts still hasn't erased the question mark.

Roberts said in an interview with local reporters after the game that he still has a question mark about Kim Hye-sung. Fabien Ardaya, a reporter in charge of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the U.S. media The Athletic, delivered Roberts' evaluation on his personal SNS. Roberts said of Kim Hye-sung, `It's commendable how he looks in the at-bats. But we are still in discussions about going to Tokyo together."

Roberts, who is currently considered the best MLB player, maintained a cautious position. This is because just because they showed a brilliant performance in one or two games does not mean they can decide whether to include the opening entry or not. It is natural that Roberts has a reserved position.

In response, Ardaya wrote on social media, `The Dodgers continue to think about Kim Hye-sung opening the season in a minor league and how to stay in Arizona and correct his swingRather than include it in the opening entry internally, he hinted at the possibility of having time to complete a new batting form in the minor leagues.

In fact, Kim Hye-sung's entry into the opening entry is too unlikely at this point. There are only two exhibition games left. Besides, everythingJuss's inner and outer fields are rich in main and utility player resources. You don't have to overdo Kim Hye-sung from the opening game right away.

In particular, Roberts makes decisions that thoroughly pursue practical benefits. If it is too much to put Kim Hye-sung in the opening entry, it is highly likely to order him to go to the minor leagues immediately. Kim Hye-sung often adjusts to the fastball in the second half of the exhibition game, but it is true that he is still lacking. On the other hand, it also means that if you practice more and fully adapt to your new form, you have a much better chance of hitting. Roberts wants to make good use of Kim Hye-sung in the long run. In order to do this, it is highly likely to choose a way to go back for a while.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.

Roberts' cold and unusual remarks suggest Kim Hye-sung's trip to the minor league

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