Shocking reality! The Dodgers don't really trust Kim Hye-sung. Superutility Hernandez's renewal is catastrophic, and Kim Hye-sung goes to a minor if he fails to prove his skills

Feb 10, 2025

Kim Hye-sung, who became a member of the LA Dodgers, met his first crisis since joining the team. A strong competitor who can push himself to the minor leagues from the opening game has joined the team. This is why it is necessary to raise tension to the highest level and speed up adaptation to the Major League.

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Kiké Hernández on the 10th (Korea time). It's a scenario that was already expected. Hernandez is a versatile backup agent that the Dodgers trust and use. It is also receiving a lot of love from fans. Hernandez, who moved from the Houston Astros to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade in December 2014, became a free agent after the last 2020 season and left for Boston.

However, in July 2023 it will be back in tradeI'm back at Just Stadium. Hernandez, who became an FA after the 2023 season and re-signed with the Dodgers for a year and $4 million, also served as a backup agent in the 2024 season, contributing to the team's World Siri victory.

In recognition of his performance, he re-signed with the Dodgers again. Hernandez announced the news of the Dodgers contract through an SNS video after renewing his contract. As a result, the Dodgers' infield competition is expected to become fiercer. There is nothing good about Kim Hye-sung. The reason why a veteran with a strong competitive advantage joined is that the opportunity to return to Kim Hye-sung seems to be reduced.

US media ESPN is 'Juss recognizes Hernandez's wide utilization value and character in the clubhouse. above all elseJuss is a talent for upgrading the game in October. Loved by both fans and teammates, can play multiple defensive positions and is more powerful in the postseason. This is why the Dodgers chose Hernandez again.

Photo source=LA Dodgers club official X account

Major League World Series winners don't pick players at random. There is a clear reason for recruitment and a utilization plan stands. The reason why he recruited another player of the same role is because there are many doubts about the player he recruited earlier. That's why they recruited 'alternative' or 'insurance'.

In short, it means that you can't trust Kim Hye-sung and go. Hernandez looks like 'Kim Hyesung Upgrade Final Version' in every way.

Hernandez, who has a career-high .238 percent and an OPS of .713 percent in the regular season, is 'Autumn Man'. The postseason average batting average will be upgraded to 278 percent and OPS to 807 percent. Thanks to this, he played a direct role when the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020 and 2024.

His ability as a utility is superior to that of Kim Hye-sung. While Kim Hye-sung specializes in second base and shortstop, Hernandez can play both domestic and foreign positions. In the 2024 season, he played seven games as a first baseman and six games each as a second baseman and shortstop, and appeared in 60 games as a third baseman. In 14 games, he was also an outfielder.

Above all, Hernandez is a proven player in the major leagues over a long period of time, especially in the Dodgers. It is different from Kim Hye-sung, who only has performance data in the KBO League and has not yet been verified in major league practice. For manager Dave Roberts, if he chooses Kim Hye-sung and Hernandez side by side right now, Hernandez will be chosen unconditionally.

Therefore, Hernandez's recruitment is like a catastrophe for Kim Hye-sung. ESPN reporter Blake Harris said 'Hernandez joined, reducing the number of spots on the shortlist for the opening entry. Kim Hye-sung and Andy Pazs compete, and Pazs has an advantage at the moment,' he predicted.

Kim Hye-sung has lost her main position for now. He should seek the opening entry as a backup position, but Pazs, who can only take over as an outfielder, is more advantageous. This is because Pazs already has proven attack power. Pazs appeared in 116 games last season, batting .248 with an OPS of 7.12%. The adjusted scoring productivity (wRC+) was 100, which was the league average. However, he was especially powerful against left-handed pitchers. The OPS hit .916 with a batting average of .357. WRC+ against left-handed pitchers stands at a whopping 157. It is an indicator that it can be fully utilized when a left-handed pitcher comes out as a platoon.

The number one criterion for evaluating fielders in Major League Baseball is the ability to hit. There is an underlying perception that defense is fundamental. Unless he continues to show super defense like circus tricks in every game, it is impossible to secure the main position with just one defensive ability. The batting must be supported to compete for the starting lineup.

In this part, Kim Hye-sung continues to have a question mark. Even in the KBO League, he has never shown overwhelming batting ability. It is compared to major leaguers from Kiwoom Heroes such as Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Ha-sung. The Dodgers also have no illusions about Kim Hye-sung in this respect.

Furthermore, we do not unconditionally trust the defensive indicators shown in the KBO League. First of all, I have expectations, but there is a high possibility that I will verify it in practice and give it a role. With Hernandez's recruitment, it is reasonable to say that Kim Hye-sung's starting position has almost disappeared. If you want to enter the opening entry even as a backup, you have to show yourself your value in spring camps and exhibition games.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.