Dream ★ This is a reality, and the key is Kim Hye-sung's value that is drawing more and more attention from the bat, and if he shows his batting ability during spring camp, he can dream of becoming a starting pitcher for the Dodgers

Jan 08, 2025

A match between the LA Dodgers and Team Korea was held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 18th. Team Korea Kim Hye-sung hits a double at first base with no outs in the top of the third inning. Gocheok = Reporter Chung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com/2024.03.18/

The main second baseman of the defending champion team of the World Series, it is not a dream that cannot be achieved. It has become a port that you can catch if you reach out your hand as much as you can. You only need to prove your bat ability clearly.

The value of Kim Hye-sung, who succeeded in joining the LA Dodgers by posting on the 4th, is soaring day by day in the United States. In particular, Kim Hye-sung's role is drawing attention as the Dodgers sent Gavin Lux, the main second baseman who won the World Series, to the Cincinnati Reds in a trade on the 7th.

Kim Hye-sung signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Photo Source =MLB.com

Originally, the Dodgers have quite a lot of infield resources. Not only main players but also backup resources were abundant. First baseman Freeman, second baseman Gavin Lux, third baseman Max Muncy and shortstop Mookie Betts were filling the infield, and there were also talented backups for both domestic and foreign defense, including Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman. 'Super Utility Man'Kike Hernandez was also looking to renew his contract.

Therefore, Kim Hye-sung's original role was 'utility infielder', that is, for backup. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes himself said "Kim Hye-sung's role is utility." Strictly speaking, it was 'sub-backup' because the main and backup were tight.

However, after Kim Hye-sung joined the team, the Dodgers' internal situation began to fluctuate. Lux's trade was the starting point. Even in the United States, it is regarded as a very unexpected event. This is because it is an incident that shakes the use of the Dodgers infield itself. As a result, there is a prospect that Kim Hye-sung may go beyond the role of a simple 'utility infielder' and aim for the Dodgers' main second baseman.

ESPN gave a B+ rating on Kim Hye-sung's contract with the Dodgers on the 7th, and `Kim Hye-sung became one of the Dodgers' preferred multi-position players. The fact that Kim Hye-sung is a left-handed hitter distinguishes it from Taylor and Rojas in the short term. Kim's presence also allows the Dodgers to use Edman more in center field. In the long run, if Kim Hye-sung hits, he could surpass the level of utility.

MLB.COM went a step further here. On the 8th, Sonya Chen dedicated to the Dodgers said 'Kim Hye-sung was originally going to be used as a super utility. However, now he is more likely to play second base, he reported. After recruiting Kim Hye-sung, he sent Lux in a trade, taking a step forward to clean up the center infield. More follow-up moves are expected in the future. There are three potential trade candidates,' he said. Taylor, Rojas, and James Outman also predicted that they could leave in a trade.

If this prospect becomes a reality, Kim Hye-sung will have a golden opportunity. This is because if all the main and backup second base agents such as Taylor and Rojas leave after Lux, Kim Hye-sung could naturally have a chance to play the main second base.

Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 16th. Team Korea Kim Ha-sung, who will play in the U.S. Major League Baseball World Tour Seoul Series, is training happily ahead of the warm-up match against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.3.16/

Of course, it is unreasonable to think that such a move to reorganize the Dodgers' squad is aimed at creating a starting position for Kim Hye-sung. It's just one of the Dodgers' many plans. It can also be seen as a move to reduce the amount of spending to catch special pitcher Loki Sasaki, who came out as a posting.

Regardless of the reason, it is as true that Kim Hye-sung had a chance to become Cheon Woo-shin.

However, there is a necessary process to seize this opportunity. It is to demonstrate the low-rated batting ability. Kim Hye-sung is said to be less capable of hitting than Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo, Kiwoom Heroes seniors who entered the Major League earlier.

ESPN compared the KBO league performances of Kim Hye-sung and Lee Jung-hoo and recorded a batting average of 0.340, an on-base percentage of 0.409, a slugging percentage of 0.510, 57 home runs, and 46 steals from 2019 to 2023. Kim Hye-sung hit a batting average of 0.306, an on-base percentage of 0.366, a slugging percentage of 0.398, 21 home runs, and 150 steals. This confirms why Kim Hye-sung is closer to a super utility than his main style, Lee Jung-hoo.

Gavin Lux was traded to Cincinnati, raising the possibility that Kim Hye-sung could leap to the LA Dodgers' main second baseman. Photo source = LA Dodgers club official X account

The content points out Kim Hye-sung's ability level, which is lower than that of Lee Jung-hoo in terms of impact and destructive power of the hit.

In fact, Kim Hye-sung's batting power, especially his slugging power, is evaluated to be below the Major League average. Kim Hye-sung's scouting report, released by Baseball America last month, is filled with 'Contact 55, slugging power 30, baserunning 70, defense 55, and throwing 40'. Analysts say that the base running ability is far above average, and contact and defense are at an average level, but the slugging power and throwing power are below average.

In the end, there is only one way for Kim Hye-sung to take the main position on the Dodgers' second base. It's no longer meaningful to play with defense. During the spring camp, we have to take a hit and play. Even if it is difficult to raise the long shot at once, the possibility of securing the main player increases if he shows a performance that exceeds the evaluation of the scouting report in contact ability. Kim Hye-sung seems to have a lot to do before the spring camp is held.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.