With Edman, Kim Hye-sung stayed in the big league, Roberts opened his heart It helps his performance, play, and position

May 15, 2025

LA Dodgers Kim Hye-sung hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning against Athletics at Dodger Stadium on the 15th (Korea time) and is receiving sunflower seeds from Andy Pazs. Manager Dave Roberts welcomes him with a big smile behind him. UPI Yonhap News

Kim Hye-sung is running out looking at the ball after hitting a solo home run to the right-center in the fifth inning, trailing 2-3. UPI Yonhap News

It is known that LA Dodgers Kim Hye-sung, who is stably settled in the Major League, is likely to remain in the big league.

Kim Hye-sung started the home game against the Athletics at Dodger Stadium on the 15th (Korea time) as the 9th second baseman and hit 2 hits, 1 RBI and 1 run in 2 at-bats, including his first home run in the big league. The Dodgers won 9-3 on Kim Hye-sung's tiebreaking home run.

The home run came in the second at-bat in the fifth inning, trailing 2-3. Kim Hye-sung, who entered as the leadoff hitter, pulled a 92.2 mile four-seam fastball that was pushed to the high course in the middle of right-handed Gunner Hogland on One Strike and connected it with a tying solo shot that slightly crossed the right-center fence.

While Kim Hye-sung was running around the base, Dodgers teammates at the third base gave a standing ovation in unison, and Andy Parz and Teoscar Hernandez gave sunflower seed ceremonies as Kim Hye-sung stepped home. Manager Dave Roberts also greeted Kim with a big smile.

Kim Hye-sung makes a gesture of waving both arms around the base after hitting a home run in the fifth inning. AFP Yonhap News

However, Kim Hye-sung's third at-bat did not return. He was replaced by pinch hitter Miguel Rojas with two outs and a runner on first base in the bottom of the sixth inning when the 3-3 balance continued. This is because the Athletics changed the mound to left-handed pitcher Hogan Harris with one out and a runner on first base in the sixth inning. However, Rojas hit a double to right-center to bring home first baseman Michael Conforto for a 4-3 lead. In other words, Roberts' operation was right.

Kim Hye-sung is " after the gameI always dreamed of playing at the Just Stadium. I'm really glad. Now I'm happy and excited"I don't think I should hit it with power. All I care about is just hitting the ball hard. If you get a hit, you feel good, otherwise you have to work harder" expressed his feelings.

Regarding Kim Hye-sung's replacement, MLB.com commented, "'It's not that surprising considering that he came to the big league and hasn't faced much left-handed pitchers in a short period of time.'"

Moreover, Kim Hye-sung's position could become more unstable. This is because Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez will return from the injured list (IL) next week. If both players return, Kim Hye-sung and another outfielder James Outman are likely to go down to the minor leagues again.

Kim Hye-sung is defending as second baseman. ImagesYonhap News

MLB.com said "'Kim Hye-sung was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on the 4th when Edman was placed on the 10-day IL due to an ankle injury. At the time, it seemed like he would stay in the big leagues for a while, but now he has built a significant position. In particular, since Hernandez was on the IL, his opportunities have widened even more'But when Edman and Hernandez return next week, Kim Hye-sung is very likely to go down to the minor leagues with the outman.

What would manager Dave Roberts think. Positive.

He said, `We hope Kim Hye-sung will come here, clenched his teeth, run sweaty, and know what big league is like and get used to it"When Tommy and Theo return, they have to make a decision in some form. If you look at the performance and how he plays, there's definitely an advantage for him." In other words, it hinted at the possibility of Kim Hye-sung staying.

However, the Dodgers called up Dalton Rushing, a top prospect in the farm, to the big league on the day and assigned veteran catcher Austin Barnes.

Rushing has a batting average of 0.308 (33 hits in 107 at-bats), five homers, 17 RBIs, 23 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.938 in 31 Triple-A games this season. As a right-handed left-handed hitter, the catcher is the main position, but the first base, outfield, and designated hitters can be seen evenly. It's right, left, and left The role can overlap with Kim Hye-sung in that he has utility skills. Of course, rushing is not an immediate threat to Kim Hye-sung.

MLB.com says that Kim Hye-sung, a left-handed hitter who can see both inside and outside, provides various values to the Dodgers. Ideally, the Dodgers would not want to use him as a bench member, he said, predicting that Kim Hye-sung would be more valuable if he had the opportunity to play as a starting player every day, given that he continues to adjust his swing form and continue to face pitching at the level of Major League Baseball.

Roberts said, `Kim Hye-sung is a dynamic player who seems to send the ball in-play, move forward, and do something great. That's what he's doing for us."