Why can't Roberts trust Kim Hye-sung 100%? Dodgers fans were angry as they replaced even after a triple

Jun 09, 2025

Why can't Roberts trust Kim Hye-sung 100%? Dodgers fans were angry as they replaced even after a triple
Kim Hye-sung, who hits a triple against St. Louis on the 9th (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News



The coach doesn't seem to trust him 100% yet. Even if it flies in the air, even fans are not convinced by the sword-like replacement.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kim Hye-sung started the away game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on the 9th (Korea time) and recorded 1 hit and 2 RBIs in 2 at-bats.

The hit was a triple. Kim Hye-sung faced a chance at first and third bases with one out in his first at-bat in the top of the second inning when the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead. Kim Hye-sung, who faced St. Louis right-hander Michael McGreevy, pulled the cutter on the third pitch and hit a deep right field.




In the meantime, both runners came home, and Kim Hye-sung passed through the second base and entered the third base. It is the first triple explosion since entering the Major League. It was also worth more because it was a timely triple that scored two RBIs.

Why can't Roberts trust Kim Hye-sung 100%? Dodgers fans were angry as they replaced even after a triple
APYonhap News
Kim Hye-sung, who struck out in his second at-bat, lightened Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw's shoulders with defense. As Tommy Edman plays as an infielder to control his condition after his injury, Kim Hye-sung is playing as an outfielder, and Kim Hye-sung played a good defense to catch Meisin Win's deep long-shot course in front of the fence in the bottom of the third inning.

But no more opportunities were given. He exploded a two-run triple, but manager Dave Roberts immediately removed Kim Hye-sung and used pinch hitter Enrique Hernandez when the opponent's left-hander bullpen took the mound.




Kim Hye-sung's batting average for the season is 414 (24 hits in 58 times at bat), which is a whopping '400 batters', but the frequency of his participation is slightly lower. In particular, manager Roberts excludes Kim Hye-sung from the lineup if the opposing pitcher is a left-hander.

Why can't Roberts trust Kim Hye-sung 100%? Dodgers fans were angry as they replaced even after a triple
AFP Yonhap News
Kim Hye-sung started against the New York Mets on the 4th and was excluded from protection the next day after being hit with a foul ball on his ankle. However, he was excluded from the starting lineup because the opponent's starter was left-hander David Peterson in the game on the 6th, and right-hander Sonny Gray was excluded in the game against St. Louis on the 7th. Evidence that Roberts actively utilizes Platoon and prefers it is also proven by the way backup players, including Kim Hye-sung, are used.

Why can't Roberts trust Kim Hye-sung 100%? Dodgers fans were angry as they replaced even after a triple
L.A. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. AFP Yonhap News
Roberts said in a joint interview with reporters after Kim Hye-sung's two-run triple ended against St. Louis on the 9th, "Max Muncy and Will Smith are really good at swinging the bat. Hyesung and Edman did something big" he complimented.




However, Dodgers fans also complain about the method of using Kim Hye-sung as a subordinate. In response to Roberts' interview, some Dodgers fans said, "'Isn't it right to let Kim Hye-sung play every day?' Why doesn't Roberts trust Kim Hye-sung 100%. Look how he does it. Other underperforming players are not doing anything", "He has a strange stubbornness," he said, drawing criticism.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.