The results say. Manager Roberts' method is right. Kim Hye-sung, who started in six days, is the best for now
Jun 29, 2025
|
|
The point is this. Kim Hye-sung, who has been continuously hitting well since the Major League call-up, should be given more opportunities to play than he is now.
Roberts himself said about Kim Hye-sung, who has a good batting face, "'I'll give you more opportunities.'" However, he is still forming the starting lineup mainly based on the existing main players. Kim Hye-sung only gets a chance to select every three days or six days at the most. It is a typical way to use backup players.
|
However, hiring players is the manager's own authority. And the only time you can criticize this is when you don't get a good result from doing so.
In other words, before criticizing 'Why not use it every day', we must first look at what the current method is leading to.
First of all, it may be frustrating from Kim Hye-sung's point of view, but Roberts's player management method is currently not problematic at all. Rather, it is true that both players and teams are performing the best through this.
Kim Hye-sung played second base eight times in an away game against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA on the morning of the 29th (Korea time). This was the first start in six days since the home game against Washington on the 23rd. Tommy Edman, the main second baseman with a bad ankle condition, took a rest and Kim Hye-sung wore a second base glove.
Kim Hye-sung is playing variously this year as a second baseman (19 games), shortstop (6 games), and center fielder (15 games). It is showing its true value as a utility player that the Dodgers have envisioned since they recruited Kim Hye-sung in January.
|
In his first at-bat after two outs in the top of the second inning, he walked with opposing starter Seth Lugo after a full count. He then immediately stole second base. Kim Hye-sung, who showed off his pioneering eye and steal ability, struck out three pitches in the top of the fourth inning.
However, he recorded an infield hit in the top of the sixth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, and in the top of the ninth inning, he hit a right-handed hit against left-hander Sam Long and scored when Max Muncy hit a timely hit. In the end, Kim Hye-sung recorded two hits, one point, one walk, and one stolen base in three at-bats. His batting average for the season increased from 0.372 to 0.383 (31 hits in 81 at-bats).
Like the Golden Glove winner in the second base of the KBO League in the 2024 season, the second base defense, which came out after a long time, was also stable. In the bottom of the first inning, he quickly caught Pasquantino's ground ball with one out and runners on the first and second bases and threw it to the shortstop as if it were flowing, completing a double play that led to 4 (second baseman)-6 (striker)-3 (first baseman), turning off starter Shohei Ohtani's run crisis.
|
But this is just an assumption based on the premise that the current batting face will remain. The opposite situation can happen enough. If you go out every day and lose your stamina and are exposed to the opponent's microscopic analysis more often, the possibility of a slump cannot be ruled out.
Lee Jung-hoo, who was raging as the San Francisco Giants' leading hitter until the end of April, is a good example. Lee Jung-hoo's batting sense has dropped sharply since early May, and he is currently hitting a batting average of only 240. Of course, there is a big difference between Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung's position in the team and the role originally assigned.
However, it should not be overlooked that both players do not have much major league experience. Kim Hye-sung's current hot hitting sense is likely to be 'an imaginary number' which has not yet been supported by sufficient data. The objective baseball community analyzes that there is more room for rapid decline if he continues to start.
Above all, Kim Hye-sung's role in the Dodgers team has already been determined. It is a utility player who plays various defensive positions required by the team. Striking is not the main value that Kim expects. In other words, he is doing his part well if he backs up well.
|
|
Yahoo Sports in the U.S. said of Kim Hye-sung 'Kim Hye-sung received a Major League call-up in early May. After that, he took the opportunity to play every day for a month in May, and took a hard hit at the plate. As of the end of May, he had a batting average of 0.422 OPS of 1.000 wRC+201 in 48 at-bats ' As the injured returned in June and the team became healthy, Kim Hye-sung's chances to play decreased. The performance also fell slightly. But his defensive ability is a clear asset for the Dodgers. Even if it's not a headline-making name, Kim Hye-sung is definitely a key cog in the Dodgers' power.
Fans may not see Kim Hye-sung in the starting lineup every day. But he consistently made progress for the team when the opportunity came. Kim Hye-sung praised the Dodgers, the strongest team in the National League, for playing a quiet but very important role.
|
In fact, although the Dodgers lost 5-9 against Kansas City on the 29th, they still rank first in the National League West. They had a fierce ranking battle with San Francisco and San Diego at the beginning of the season, but now they are overwhelmingly No. 1 thanks to Roberts' stable team management. He is six games ahead of second-place San Francisco.
Even the winning rate (52 wins, 32 losses, 0.619) is the only one in the National League and tied for first in the entire Major League. It is tied with the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. Kim Hye-sung's fans may be full of complaints, but Roberts is running the team properly toward the `World Series 2 consecutive losses.'
Like Yahoo Sports' analysis, Kim Hye-sung is almost certain to continue to play a backup role and be listed in the starting lineup from time to time. Unless existing main players such as Edman, Michael Confoto, and Andy Pazs leave due to injuries, they will have no choice but to be used as they are now. However, it is too much speculation that Kim Hye-sung is marginalized or undervalued within the team. Kim Hye-sung is now having a great season.
Reporter Lee Won-man wman@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.