Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker + unstable defense + 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over

May 07, 2025

Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
After the Major League call-up, a big emergency signal was turned on in front of Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers), who had raised expectations for 'long-term stay in the big leagues' by doing well with 'multi-hit games' followed by '2 consecutive hits'. It's not just a matter of hitting and not being able to hit. This is because he did not show stable play suitable for Major League Baseball.

When he went out as a runner on the first base, he was caught in a pitcher's check and was out. As a shortstop, he failed to catch a backhand properly, causing a full base crisis. In the at-bat that came out after such a play, he struck out three pitches in vain. It's a typical 'first time' that can't get rid of the tension.



Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
After the Major League call-up, a big emergency signal was turned on in front of Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers), who had raised expectations for 'long-term stay in the big leagues' by doing well with 'multi-hit games' followed by '2 consecutive hits'. It's not just a matter of hitting and not being able to hit. This is because he did not show stable play suitable for Major League Baseball.

When he went out as a runner on the first base, he was caught in a pitcher's check and was out. As a shortstop, he failed to catch a backhand properly, causing a full base crisis. In the at-bat that came out after such a play, he struck out three pitches in vain. It's a typical 'first time' that can't get rid of the tension.
If this kind of play is repeated, you can't survive in the Major League.

After the Major League call-up, a big emergency signal was turned on in front of Kim Hye-sung (26, Los Angeles Dodgers), who had raised expectations for a 'long-term stay in the big league' by doing well with 'multi-hit games' followed by 'multi-hit games'. It's not just a matter of hitting and not being able to hit. This is because he did not show stable play suitable for Major League Baseball.

When he went out as a runner on the first base, he was caught in the pitcher's check and was out. At the plate stood Shohei Ohtani, the scariest level batter in the entire league, and the inning was forced to end due to a checker. As a shortstop, he failed to catch a backhand properly, causing a full base crisis. In the at-bat that came out after such a play, he struck out three pitches in vain. It's a typical 'first time' that can't get rid of the tension. Attention is focusing on what LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will make after seeing this.




Kim Hye-sung started as the 9th second baseman in an away game against the Miami Marlins in the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida on the 7th (Korea time). It was his fourth game since he was promoted to the big league on the 4th and his second start following the previous day.

Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
After the Major League call-up, a big emergency signal was turned on in front of Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers), who had raised expectations for 'long-term stay in the big leagues' by doing well with 'multi-hit games' followed by '2 consecutive hits'. It's not just a matter of hitting and not being able to hit. This is because he did not show stable play suitable for Major League Baseball.

When he went out as a runner on the first base, he was caught in a pitcher's check and was out. As a shortstop, he failed to catch a backhand properly, causing a full base crisis. In the at-bat that came out after such a play, he struck out three pitches in vain. It's a typical 'first time' that can't get rid of the tension.
His performance was good at the beginning of the game. He made one hit in two at-bats for two consecutive games.

First of all, Kim Hye-sung, who came to the batter's box as a leadoff hitter in the top of the third inning when he was 1-0, faced Miami right-handed starter Carl Quantrill and hit the third curve (79.5 miles per hour) in the ball count of 1B1S, but only hit a fly ball to left field. It was slightly missed by the lower side of the ball and only floated high.




However, in the second at-bat, he made a hit and achieved '2 consecutive hits'.

Kim Hye-sung, who faced his second at-bat after two outs in the fifth inning, succeeded in attacking Qantril this time. I went to the 6th ball with ball count 2B2S. He showed persistence. In the end, Quantryl threw an 89.5 mile cutter on the seventh pitch, which Kim Hye-sung was aiming for. He turned the bat lightly and sent the ball to the center field with a line drive.

Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
So far, hopeful scenarios such as 'long stay in the big league'1st team members pass' come to mind. However, baseball is a sport that you have to play until the end. Kim Hye-sung, who expressed hope with hits in two consecutive games, continued to show poor plays afterward.




After Kim Hye-sung went to first base with a heavy hit, Dodgers' flagship hitter Shohei Ohtani entered the batter's box. He is a scary hitter who ranks first in home runs in the Dodgers team and tied for second in the National League. The score is 1-0 lead. Ohtani's long shot is in a situation where he can aim for additional points. At this time, it is common sense for the first baseman to calmly wait for Ohtani's hit.

However, Kim Hye-sung failed to do so. The lead got too far from the first base. Miami starter Quantrill did not miss Kim Hye-sung's carelessness. He quickly threw a checker. Kim Hye-sung hurriedly touched the first base with a headfirst sliding as if caught off guard.

The first decision of the first base is safe. Kim Hye-sung asked for a challenge from the Miami bench just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief. The judges did a video review, eventually changing the decision to tag out. On the slow screen, Miami first baseman Matt Mervis's mitts touched Kim Hye-sung's arm first. In the end, Ohtani couldn't even use his strength properly and the inning ended.

Ohtani, who came out as a leadoff hitter in the top of the sixth inning, immediately hit his 10th home run of the season, leaving Kim Hye-sung's running mate more regretful. This is because Kim Hye-sung's complacent base run blew the opportunity to open up a close lead with ease.

Since then, Kim Hye-sung has continued to play poorly as if he had lost confidence. After the top of the fifth inning ended in vain, Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman tapped Kim Hye-sung's buttocks and comforted him, but 'first big leaguer's mind does not seem to be stable.

Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
Kim Hye-sung adjusted his position from second baseman to shortstop when defending in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, he did not show any stability as a shortstop. With one out and runners on the first and second bases, Miami pinch hitter Eric Wagamon hit a training pitch deep into the 3-euro area. Kim Hye-sung's batting response was fast. He quickly followed the ball and extended his glove. Due to the location of the ball, he had to catch it with a backhand.

But it was only good to stretch out my glove. I failed to put the ball in my pocket properly, and I dropped it once. Quick catch but already safe for all the runners. It was recorded as an infield hit, not an error, but if he had caught it well with a backhand in his first attempt, he would have been able to increase the outcount by catching even the frontrunner.

A big leaguer shortstop who doesn't know should handle such a hit well. In the early days of entering the U.S., Kim Ha-sung was quickly recognized for his value thanks to his power in such defense.

Kim Hye-sung didn't just catch a difficult ball properly. Unfortunately, he lost the opportunity to make his presence more prominent.

Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
Worst Play Set of 3 Kim Hye-sung ML Remaining Big Crisis! Checker unstable defense 3 pitches strikeouts, manager Roberts agonizes over
Unstable form in defence after a miss at base. As these negative factors overlapped, confidence in the at-bat fell further. Kim Hye-sung immediately came to the batter's box after one out in the top of the ninth inning and struck out three balls. After just watching the first pitch and two 84-mile sliders on the second pitch pass through the strike zone, he swung and bowed his head to the slider falling down the third pitch.

Kim Hye-sung recorded one hit, one run and one strikeout from four times at bat in the face of his second major league start. He hit 0.375 (three hits in eight at-bats). Looks like he played a decent game in figures.

However, checkers, unstable shortstop defense, and sloppy hitting in the second half of the game will certainly be reflected in the Dodgers bench' evaluation of Kim Hye-sung. As such negative evaluations accumulate, the remaining time in the Major League will inevitably decrease. We need a play that makes up for sure in the next game. Kim Hye-sung is never given much time.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.