Repeated practice is needed. Left fielder Kim Hye-sung, who Roberts expects, is not a condo anyway. Conclusion and looking for an alternative
Aug 25, 2025
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Dodger Blue, a local media outlet, said on the 25th (Korea time) 'The Dodgers outfield is in a mess like before the trade deadline, so Kim Hye-sung's starting left field in Triple-A Oklahoma City last Friday means a lot.'"
At the same time, Kim Hye-sung cited the sluggishness of existing left fielder Michael Confoto as the reason why he had to take the left field.
Dodger Blue added 'Confoto improved productivity by hitting three home runs and five doubles on a slash line of 0.273/0.342/0.485 from 66 at-bats in July. But this month, it has fallen sharply, and its position in left field is like a hole in the Dodgers lineup'I evaluated it.
The Dodgers acquired Alex Cole from the Washington Nationals during the trade deadline to reinforce the outfield, but he is not a starting pitcher. As a right-handed hitter, he is currently in the starting lineup mainly in left field or right field against left-handed starters according to the platoon system. Cole started just three games against the right-hander after moving to the Dodgers, but there was no significant result. He only had two hits and four walks in 13 at-bats against the right-hander in the game.
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In the end, it means a lot that Kim Hye-sung started in left field in the first game of Triple-A rehabilitation on the 22nd.
Dodger blue is 'Juss is expected to seek an alternative to replace Confoto as the starting left fielder, and it is possible if the player on the injured list (IL) returns healthy. Kim Hye-sung is included in the projection.
Manager Dave Roberts told the media that `We know Kim Hye-sung can see second base, he can see shortstop. I've also seen him play left field, which could be an additional alternative for us" he said. In other words, when Kim Hye-sung returns, he intends to start in left field.
Kim Hye-sung has never been used as a left fielder since entering the Major League. He played 16 games as a center fielder, 38 as a second baseman, and 8 as a shortstop. Even during the KBO period, there has been no record of left field defense since 2020.
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Kim Hye-sung is likely to return within this month, and another outfielder Tommy Edman can also see center field when he returns in early September. In that case, there is a possibility that Teosca will be moved to left field and Pazs will be changed to right field.
In other words, 'lefty Kim Hye-sung' is considered as a scenario, not the ultimate answer by the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Kim Hye-sung, who was transferred to Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets and is playing in a rehabilitation game, played in center field twice against the Tacoma Rainiers (under the Seattle Mariners) and scored one hit and one point in five at-bats.
Since he started his rehabilitation game on the 22nd, he has a batting average of 0.313 (5 hits in 16 at-bats), three points, and an OPS of 0.626 in four games. The positions were taken in the order of left field → shortstop → designated hitter → center field.
Kim Hye-sung, who was placed on the 10-day IL due to left shoulder mucosal cystitis on the 30th of last month, is expected to return to the big league this weekend. For now, it is expected to match the first of three consecutive home games against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 30th.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
