Kim Hye-sung, not now. Big picture Roberts, when are you going to call him? I think I'll pass this month to fill 100 at-bats
Apr 12, 2025
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The Los Angeles Dodgers sent Hunter Pedusia, a backup catcher and left-handed pinch hitter, down to Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets on the 11th (Korea time). The move is aimed at making Freddie Freeman's roster as he returns from the injured list in time for the home game against the Chicago Cubs on the 12th. Freeman was on the injured list on the 4th due to poor ankle conditions that he underwent surgery last winter, and the next day, the Dodgers called up Peducia in the minor league.
The big league roster was temporarily filled until Freeman returned. However, Pedusia played in two games and had no hits and only one walk in two at-bats. It didn't show much presence. The Dodgers could have called out other left-handed hitters such as Kim Hye-sung, James Outman, and Dalton Rushing when they called up Pedusia, but the reason they called Pedusia was because they intended to use him as a substitute agent for a short time.
In this regard, manager Dave Roberts said in an interview with Orange County Register reporter Bill Plunkett on the 10th that `I don't think it's appropriate to call Kim Hye-sung (a bench member) for a while.'
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In other words, it is better to start every day as a main player in Triple-A and improve batting adaptability than to come to the Major League immediately and serve as a backup. Tommy Edman at second base, Kim Hye-sung's position, Mookie Betts at shortstop, Andy Parz at center field, and Michael Conforto at left field are the main players for the Dodgers. After falling into a severe slump at the beginning of the season, Park's position has revived as he hit a decisive home run in the last two consecutive games, and Kim Hye-sung cannot play as the main player.
Dodger Blue said 'Kim Hye-sung is much better off having consistent playing time in Oklahoma City. He also agreed that he will have an opportunity to make an impact at the Major League level this season.
Therefore, it seems unlikely that Kim Hye-sung will make his big league debut right away. Kim Hye-sung recently played as the first center fielder in the game against the Round Rock Express (under the Texas Rangers) and had no hits in five at-bats and only scored one point. Kim Hye-sung, who had two hits in the match against Round Rock on the 10th, had a batting average of 0.292 (14 hits in 48 at-bats) from 0.326. He has no home runs yet, and he has nine RBIs, 13 runs, four walks, 14 strikeouts, four steals, and an OPS of 0.837.
At present, it is difficult to predict when Roberts will call Kim Hye-sung. But not immediately. Kim entered 45 at-bats in 11 games for Oklahoma City. If he has to fill 100 at-bats, the call-up within this month should be considered slim.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
