Thrilled! Utility Kim Hye-sung is playing fall baseball, including WCS 26 players, but why are there 11 pitchers
Oct 01, 2025
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The Dodgers announced a 26-man roster ahead of Game 1 of the Wild Card Series (WCS) against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium at 10 a.m. on the 1st (Korea time).
Kim joined Tommy Edman and Quique Hernandez in the 'Infield/Outfield' position. That means you are a utility and a bench member.
Kim Hye-sung, who signed with the Dodgers for three years and $12 million earlier this year and made his impressive major league debut on May 4 after completing his minor league class, continued his impressive performance in the offense and defense during the first half, adapting well to manager Dave Roberts' platoon method. He marked a batting average of 0.339 and an OPS of 0.842 in 48 games in the first half.
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For this reason, it was unclear whether Kim Hye-sung will be on the postseason roster. This is because the competitors' performance at the end of the season was not easy. In particular, outfielder Michael Confoto seemed to be recovering with a batting average of 0.246 and an OPS of 0.691, after failing to escape the batting average of around 10% throughout the season.
However, Roberts chose Kim Hye-sung. Confoto, who signed a $17 million FA contract last winter, was considered the most disappointing player in the Dodgers this year and was eventually eliminated. It can also be said that Kim Hye-sung recognized the value of his stable defense and mobility.
Kim Hye-sung had a batting average of 0.280 (45 hits in 161 at-bats), three home runs, 17 RBIs, 19 runs, seven walks, 13 steals, and an OPS of 0.699 in 71 games in his debut season.
As a result, Kim Hye-sung will be the 12th Korean player to play in the Major League postseason after Park Chan-ho, Kim Byung-hyun, Choi Hee-seop, Choo Shin-soo, Ryu Hyun-jin, Kang Jung-ho, Oh Seung-hwan, Choi Ji-man, Kim Hyun-soo, Kim Kwang-hyun and Kim Ha-sung.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers made up the WCS roster of 11 pitchers, 14 fielders, and one pitching and hitting. Including Ohtani, there are 12 pitchers. The series is short, so the number of fielders has been increased by two more. However, if they enter the Division Series, they are expected to increase the number of pitchers and reduce the number of fielders.
MLB.com added 'The Dodgers registered 11 pitchers except Ohtani. This is seen as a move to secure three catchers, including Will Smith, who just returned from injury, and to raise Justin Dean, who has speed and defense instead of Confoto.
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Pitchers (11): Jack Dreyer, Tyler Glasnow, Edgardo Enriquez, Sasaki Loki, Tanner Scott, Emmett Sheehan, Blake Snell, Blake Trinen, Alex Vesia, Justin Roblesky, Yamamoto Yoshinobu
Designated hitter/pitcher (1): Shohei Ohtani
Gunners (3): Ben Rotbet, Dalton Rushing, Will Smith
Infielders (four): Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
Outfielders (4): Alex Cole, Justin Dean, Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pazs
Infield/outfielder(3): Tommy Edman, Quique Hernandez and Kim Hye-sung
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
