NLCS roster? It's ambiguous. Adrenaline runner Kim Hye-sung, who is underutilized, failed or remains in the Dodgers Championship Series
Oct 13, 2025
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Kim Hye-sung, who came out as a pinch runner in the bottom of the 11th inning of extra time in Game 4 of the Division Series and scored the winning goal with a adrenaline run, is at the crossroads of remaining on the roster and elimination ahead of the National League Championship Series (best of seven games). This is because the performance he showed in the wild card series and division series is insignificant. Although the prospects for elimination and remaining are tight in the region, it seems true that the situation is not good.
Kim Hye-sung has performed better than expected since this year's first major league season. Since being called up to the big league on May 4, he has succeeded in long stay by showing more bat skills than expected and defensive ability as expected at the same time.
Although the cruise was temporarily suspended due to a shoulder injury in late July, it is worth evaluating that it was a successful debut season overall. Kim Hye-sung appeared in 71 games in the MLB regular league this season, hitting a batting average of 0.280 (45 hits in 161 at-bats) with three home runs and 17 RBIs with an OPS of 0.699. It's not a bad performance for a utility man.
Thanks to this, the frequency of appearances has decreased significantly since returning in early September, but he was able to join the Dodgers' wild-card series roster. Kim Hye-sung has achieved the feat of making the postseason stage from her debut season.
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Then Kim Hye-sung finally got a chance to play at the end of Game 4 of the Division Series on the 10th. When Tommy Edman hit a hit after one out in the bottom of the 11th inning of extra time when the score was 1-1, Kim Hye-sung was put in as a pinch runner at first base. Kim Hye-sung, who was a third baseman with two outs and a full base, then sprinted home when Andy Pazs grounded out in front of the pitcher and scored the winning run.
In fact, this run was more like a mistake of forgetting the basics. Kim Hye-sung didn't even slide, and didn't even step on the home base at first.
Kim Hye-sung would have been out if it wasn't for opposing pitcher Orion Kickering's bad pitch. Therefore, in the local media, Kim Hye-sung relied solely on adrenaline. When you run under extreme pressure and tension, you can forget the basics.
Because the result was good, the mistake could not be highlighted. However, it cannot be said that he left a big impression in terms of his skills.
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In particular, the Dodgers have a variable that must adjust the roster. This is because bullpen pitcher Tanner Scott was unable to play in the Championship Series due to an abscess surgery. Therefore, the local expects the Dodgers to fill Scott's gap and add one pitcher to operate the championship series with a total of 12 players. Justin Roblesky and Ben Kasparius are likely to join. Considering that the Dodgers' weakness is the bullpen, it is a convincing prospect. The Dodgers managed 11 pitchers in the Division Series. Shohei Ohtani was separately classified as a double play.
Increasing the number of pitchers to 12 means one out of the fielders is missing. Kim Hye-sung is currently being mentioned as a strong candidate.
Reporter Bill Plunkett, who is in charge of the Dodgers at the Orange County Register, a local media outlet in Los Angeles, said on the 12th (Korean time)Juss is expected to make changes to the Championship Series roster. 'The Dodgers are expected to reduce one fielder (Kim Hye-sung or Justin Dean) by adding one pitcher,' it reported.
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Of course, there is a prospect that Kim Hye-sung will stay. Dodgers Nation expected Kim Hye-sung to stay. The basic framework of increasing the number of pitchers and decreasing the number of fielders is the same. However, the media expects catcher Dalton Rushing to be the likely candidate to be eliminated from the roster.
Rushing, who is the "No. 3 catcher", also came out as a pinch hitter in only one game in the Dodgers' six postseason games. In Game 3 of the Division Series against Philadelphia on the 9th, he appeared as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and runners on the first and third bases, but he struck out a foul tip. Compared to Kim Hye-sung, the score is no different.
In the end, there is a high possibility that one of Kim Hye-sung and Dalton will be eliminated. Attention is focusing on whether Kim Hye-sung will be able to survive a 50% chance survival.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
