Lower Kim Hye-sung to the minor? Ohtani RBI's productivity will drop sharply, Edman is coming on the 19th, but Roberts is still not sure about his KIM move
May 17, 2025
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Kim Hye-sung played as second baseman in the first game of the three consecutive home games against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on the 17th (Korea time) and swung two hits in three at-bats.
Kim Hye-sung hit two hits, one RBI and one run in two at-bats, including a solo home run, against the Athletics on the 15th, and on the 16th, he led the team to a 19-2 victory by showing off his thrilling on-base ability with three hits, two walks, two RBIs, four runs and one stolen base in three at-bats.
In addition, he made hits in both of his first two at-bats on the day, giving rise to multi-hitters in three consecutive games and on-base hits in nine consecutive at-bats. He has posted seven hits, two walks and five runs from eight times at bat in the last three games, raising his batting average to 0.452 (14 hits from 31 times at bat). He marked one home run, five RBIs, nine runs, two walks, an on-base percentage of 0.485 and a slugging percentage of 0.581 and an OPS of 1.066, respectively.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Kim Hye-sung became the first Dodgers rookie to get on base for nine consecutive at-bats in 10 years since Corey Seager (Texas Rangers) in 2015. This is the highest record since the Dodgers moved to LA.
Kim Hye-sung, who has been in the starting lineup for three consecutive games, entered the first batter's box without a runner after two outs in the bottom of the third inning, trailing 0-2, and lightly pushed the opponent's right-hander Jack Cohanowitz's second pitch outside 94.7 miles sinker on one ball to make a clean left-handed hit.
Kim Hye-sung went to second base with a walk by the next batter, Shohei Ohtani, but Mookie Betts grounded out to third base and failed to reach home.
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However, the inning ended as it was because Ohtani, the next batter, hit a double play by the second baseman.
Kim Hye-sung failed to get on base for 10 consecutive at-bats in his third at-bat in the eighth inning, trailing 1-4.
It is noteworthy that leadoff Shohei Ohtani's RBI ability doubled as Kim Hye-sung increased his on-base percentage in the ninth batting order after joining the Dodgers' lineup.
Ohtani had only seven scoring at-bats in his team's first 17 games of the season. However, as Kim Ha-sung joined and was placed in the 9th batting order, Ohtani's RBI productivity surged. Kim Hye-sung is the runner who Ohtani, who has 29 RBIs so far, has brought home the most. Kim Hye-sung homered 5th with Ohtani's timely hit.
Considering that Kim Hye-sung was called up to the Major League on the 4th and has only played 13 games, it can be said that the play of 「Kim Hye-sung on base → Otani's timely hit → Kim Hye-sung scoring」 is actively operating.
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Regarding Kim Hye-sung's performance, MLB.com evaluated that since he was called up to the big league two weeks ago, Kim Hye-sung has completely established himself as an impactful hitter in Dodgers' offense.
However, manager Dave Roberts, who gave a thumbs-up to Kim Hye-sung's ability to get on base before the game, has not given a definite answer on Kim Hye-sung's remaining in the big league. Tommy Edman, who was out with an ankle injury, is returning soon.
According to Roberts, Edman will return to the lineup in time for the home game against the Angels on the 19th.
However, Roberts said in an interview with local media that day, `You could argue that Kim Hye-sung should play six to seven games a week. As of now, I can't guarantee what decision I have to make in the next few days. I don't know yet." If Edman comes, there is a high possibility that Kim Hye-sung or James Outman will go down.
The LA Times insisted on the day that the Dodgers should keep him in the big leagues after Kim Hye-sung joined.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
