That's cheap. This kind of interest in 18.1 billion contracts...Expectations are high for Kim Hye-sung from Dodger's Pick
Jan 08, 2025
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The U.S. media is showing keen interest in Korean infielder Kim Hye-sung (26), who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 4th (Korea time). The Dodgers guaranteed Kim Hye-sung $12.5 million (about 18.1 billion won) for three years and gave him a contract that could receive up to $22 million (about 31.9 billion won) if the club executes a two-year option between 2028 and 2029. Compared to the size of the U.S. Major League FA contract, Kim Hye-sung's contract is not at an eye-catching level. This is because it's hard to see it as a contract of a key player.
Kim Hye-sung would not have attracted this much attention if he had signed a contract of the same size as other clubs, but he is curious because he is the player chosen by the Dodgers. The Dodgers are a team led by MVP corps such as Shohei Ohtani (31), Mookie Betts (33), and Freddie Freeman (36), and the ransom of the players is also significant. He also won the World Series last year when Ohtani was recruited. It is natural to wonder how Kim Hye-sung impressed the front of the winning team and how he intends to use Kim Hye-sung in a team with a solid player base.
On the 7th, the U.S. sports media "ESPN" rated the Dodgers and Kim Hye-sung's contract grade as 'B+'. The media predicted that Kim Hye-sung would sign a three-year, $16.5 million (about 23.9 billion won) contract. Therefore, the Dodgers seem to have caught the player (Kim Hye-sung) cheaply just an hour before the trade deadline.
ESPN said, `Now Kim Hye-sung is one of the multi-position players that the Dodgers love very much. The fact that Kim Hye-sung is a left-handed hitter distinguishes him from Chris Taylor (35) and Miguel Rojas (36) in the short term. Kim Hye-sung's presence also allows the Dodgers to secure more time for Tommy Edman (30) to play in center field. This is because there is less need to move Edman (to the infield). In the long run, he viewed it positively, saying, 'If Kim Hye-sung has a hit, he may surpass the level of utility.'"
We compared Kim Ha-sung (30), a Korean infielder who is already well known in the Major League, and Kim Hye-sung. Kim Ha-sung signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2021 season and came to the U.S. first. Kim Ha-sung is active as San Diego's main shortstop and second baseman, and he had his first gold glove as an Asian infielder in 2023. This winter, he became the first FA and is waiting for a contract.
ESPN said it would be even more so if it hadn't closely looked at the overseas player market, especially the players coming from KBO, but Lee is not Kim Ha-sung, who recently played as a San Diego infielder and is now an FA. Completely different players, Kim Hye-sung's former KBO teammates include former Dodgers player Yasiel Puig (35, Kiwoom Heroes) and San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo (27). Kim Hye-sung has a slightly different profile from Kim Ha-sung, but his scouting report shows a similar trend in defense and baserunning. Kim Hye-sung is a left-handed hitter and can play both positions in the center infield, and has experience in starting as third baseman and left fielder in the KBO. The power is lower than that of Kim Ha-sung.
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Whether Kim Hye-sung will be able to adapt to the Major League immediately was compared to Lee Jung-hoo. Kim Hye-sung and Lee Jung-hoo played together for five years from 2019 to 2023 at Kiwoom, and the comparison of grades is meaningful because they are both left-handed hitters.
ESPN reported that from 2019 to 2023, Lee Jung-hoo hit 0.340 with an on-base percentage of 0.409, a slugging percentage of 0.510, 57 home runs, 46 steals, and Kim Hye-sung hit 0.306, an on-base percentage of 0.366, a slugging percentage of 0.398, 21 home runs, and 150 steals. Although he is a completely different type of player, you can be sure why Kim Hye-sung is a profile closer to a super utility than his main style, Lee Jung-hoo. Kim Hye-sung's expected performance in the 2025 season is also positive with a batting average of 0.270 on-base percentage of 0.337 slugging percentage of 0.38827 steals. Even in the Dodgers, which has a very solid player base, this would work.
ESPN also assessed that the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux (28), a first-round prospect in 2016, to the Cincinnati Reds and gave him a B grade. The Dodgers decided to receive a draft pick and Mike Cirota (22), a prospect in the outfield, when they gave up Lux to Cincinnati on the 7th.
ESPN analyzed that the Dodgers cleared Lux from the roster to appoint Kim Hye-sung. It is evaluated that Kim Hye-sung will be better than Lux in defense, base running, and on-base.
ESPN is 'After Juss and Kim Hye-sung signed, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters that they still see Lux and Betts as the main central infielders. But they traded Lux, and their plans changed. Now, it could mean that Kim Hye-sung has become the Dodgers' main second baseman, and at least Kim Hye-sung is expected to be used as a platoon with one of the right-handed utilities on the roster. Kim Hye-sung provides at least excellent defense and is much better at stealing than Lux. If Kim Hye-sung also shows his contact ability at bat, it will not fall below Lux's on-base percentage. However, like all fielders coming from the KBO, there is a risk of how their offense will be changed when they come to the Major League.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
