Kim Hye-sung, a player who can win only with Roberts' defense, which was announced as a training center fielder to raise him as a true super utility

Feb 19, 2025

LA Dodgers Kim Hye-sung is training infield defense at spring training camp. ImagesYonhap News

Kim Hye-sung is resting on the bench during training. AP Yonhap News

In an article that highlighted Kim Hye-sung on the 18th (Korea time), the official Major League website MLB.com will prepare center field as well as second and third base, according to manager Dave Roberts. He said, "I've never seen a center fielder in the KBO, but he played in 44 games as a left fielder in 2020, and before entering high school, he grew up as an outfielder, making center field more comfortable than corner outfield.'

As Kim Hye-sung is a utility player, it means that Roberts thinks of using him in various ways. Roberts said, `I think he can definitely win a major league game just by defending"The problem concerns the adaptation part. What is good for him? What is beneficial for the Dodgers? I can't answer it right now."

In response, Kim Hye-sung said, `I'm not a fixed player in one position. I can perform all the positions that are given to me well. No matter what position the coach takes, he will prepare well."

Even so, local media reports that Kim Hye-sung is also an outfield option are not small.

Early last month, the Dodgers traded existing second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds shortly after signing Kim Hye-sung on the condition of a three-year, $12.5 million and a two-year club option. In other words, there was an unsatisfactory part about Lux, but it is judged that Lux was too much to play other positions except for the second baseman.

Kim Hye-sung, who is interviewing at Dodger Fest on the 2nd (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News

In response, Dodger Blue, a local media outlet, said on the 19th that only second basemen can be seen in Lux The low on-base percentage didn't help increase the presence of the Dodgers. ' The Dodgers prefer players in multiple positions. If Kim Hye-sung, who shows a low strikeout rate and a steady number of stolen bases, clearly establishes himself as a better player, the team will receive great help.'

The problem is the blow. There is inevitably a question mark as to whether Major League pitchers can withstand the strong ball power. This is because he is good at guessing and has fast feet, but his slugging power is actually close to 'zero'. If these questions can be offset by defense, the Dodgers seem to have nothing to lose.

Dodger Blue said there would be no issue for Kim Hye-sung to adapt to the major leagues in defense. The Dodgers try to grow him into a resource that can play as many roles as possible, saying, `He sees him as a defensive infielder using his own speed and mobility, but he doesn't seem to be worried even if he lacks slugging power.'

Dodgers plans to grow Kim Hye-sung into a super utility resource. ImagesYonhap News

Kim Hye-sung's position has yet to be determined. Local media expect Kim Hye-sung as the starting second baseman in the opening round, but they do not nail him for securing the starting lineup. The platooning method is also considered to be strong. In other words, if the opponent starts right-handed, Kim Hye-sung will start, and if he is a left-handed starter, right-handed hitters Kieke Hernandez and Miguel Rojas can be in the lineup first.

MLB.com says, `If he shows that he can hit well in the lineup every day, he will be able to secure the main second baseman. If Kim Ha-sung is not sure about hitting, he will be used as a left-handed super utility resource.

This prediction also reveals the expected performance report for this season presented by the forecast system of FanGraphs, which specializes in statistics. In FanGraphs' combined prediction of ZiPS and Steamer, Kim Hye-sung will play in 97 games this season with a batting average of 0.279, five homers, 48 points, 42 RBIs, 16 steals, and an OPS of 0.698.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.