Already? Kim Hye-sung caught the imminent big league call-up, neither Triple-A nor I are happy with the poor performance of the celebratory handshake

Apr 07, 2025

Kim Hye-sung, who is raising his hitting sense in Triple A, seems to be facing a big league call-up. AFP Yonhap News

Kim Hye-sung has an OPS of 0.823 in Triple-A. AP Yonhap News

The LA Dodgers seem to have decided on Kim Hye-sung's call-up playing in Triple-A.

Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets played the last game of a six-game home series against El Paso Chihuahua (under the San Diego Padres) at Chicaso Bricktown Ball Park on the 7th (Korea time). An interesting scene was seen in the Oklahoma City dugout on third base.

Before the game, infielder Austin Gardier shook hands with Kim Hye-sung, and soon after catcher Dolton Rushing hugged Kim Hye-sung several times. Anyone can see that it was a scene of celebrating something.

Kim Hye-sung missed the game on the day. Kim Hye-sung started as the sixth shortstop in the game where the left-hander took the mound earlier, although the opposing starter was left-hander Wes Benjamin. El Paso's starting pitcher on the 3rd was left-hander Austin Crop.

Kim Hye-sung is making his Triple-A debut at-bat on the 29th of last month (Korea time). Photo = MiLB.TV Capture

Kim Hye-sung, who signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract in January and wore a Dodgers uniform, was eliminated from the Major League's opening roster and spent the season in the minor leagues due to consistent poor batting in the exhibition game. Manager Dave Roberts ordered Kim Hye-sung to adapt to the fastball and get used to the new batting form. It is not known whether the mission has been completed, but Kim Hye-sung is showing more active attacks in Triple-A.

He hit .273 (9 hits in 33 at-bats), six RBIs, seven runs scored, four walks, 11 strikeouts and an OPS of .823 in eight games. Although it is a performance against Triple-A pitchers, some say that Major League preparations have been completed to some extent.

The Dodgers called catcher Hunter Pedusia on the injured list on the 4th, putting first baseman Freddie Freeman on the injured list due to an ankle injury. At the time, Roberts explained why he didn't call Rushing or Kim Hye-sung, saying, `It's not beneficial to raise the Major League (sometimes playing) when a left-handed pinch hitter was needed, and a player is used to playing every day as a main player and wants to continue playing at-bats and defense.'

It was because of the reason for the playing time. However, Pedusia never appeared on the ground in three games after the call-up.

Andy Pazs is considered a minor league relegation candidate as he has been sluggish in offense and defense at the beginning of the season. AFP Yonhap News

The player who is expected to go to the minor leagues is outfielder Andy Paz. He has a batting average of 0.118 (4 for 34), three runs scored, five walks, 14 strikeouts and an OPS of 0.415 in 11 games. In the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on the 7th, he played in center field as the 9th and scored one hit and one run from four times at bat, barely exceeding 10% of his batting average.

L.A. local media are calling for Pazs to be sent down immediately.

The Dodgers section of local fan media Sports Illustrated (SI) is expected to be a big league call-up player due to Andy Pazs' recent slump. In the Oklahoma City dugout today, there was a scene where Kim Hye-sung could be considered to be congratulated by his teammates, and predicted that if Kim Hye-sung comes up to the Dodgers, Tommy Edman will return to center field, where Pazs played, and Kim Hye-sung will enter second base.

The Dodgers will play three consecutive away games against the Washington Nationals starting on the 8th. It remains to be seen whether Kim Hye-sung's status will change.

Already? Kim Hye-sung caught the imminent big league call-up, Triple-A and I shook hands to celebrate...be in a slump

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.