disastrousness itself. Kim Hye-sung also had no hit in two at-bats, batting average of 0.083 → 0.071. The minor league is gradually approaching a reality
Mar 01, 2025
|
Kim Hye-sung's batting average fell further from 8.3 (0.083) to 71 (0.071). It's a terrible shame. In baseball, a sport of record, this level of batting average means only one thing. The only conclusion is that it can never work in the major leagues.
Kim Hye-sung played as a substitute before the Los Angeles Angels in the 2025 Major League exhibition game held at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona on the 1st (Korea time) and recorded no hits and two strikeouts in 2 at-bats. With this, Kim's batting average has been lowered to 0.071 (1 hit in 14 at-bats, 2 walks).
|
He was aiming for the first curve, but he swung and missed. The second ball is a splitter over the outside strike zone. Kim Hye-sung just watched. He didn't seem to have adapted to the Major League strike zone yet. During the KBO League, Kim Hye-sung often used to cut off such a ball, but he couldn't respond this time. The third ball is a ball. However, he swung and missed again on the splitter on the fourth pitch that entered the ball count 1B2S and struck out again.
Kim Hye-sung, who finished his first at-bat with a swing and miss strikeout, entered the second at-bat in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on first base. The opponent was Victor Gonzalez, a changed left-handed pitcher.
This time, he was hit by a first-pitch strike due to a mistake that he did not know the major league rules. It violated the batter's pitch clock rules. According to Major League Baseball regulations, pitch clock regulations apply to both pitchers and batters. Pitchers must finish pitching within 15 seconds when there is no runner, and within 20 seconds when there is a runner. If you break the time, the ball will be declared automatically.
On the other hand, the batter must completely prepare for the hit before 8 seconds of pitch clock. As a result, Kim Hye-sung, who came out with a runner on first base, had to complete his batting preparation 12 seconds before the pitch clock. However, Kim Hye-sung passed 12 seconds as if she did not fully understand the rule. Eventually, the strike was declared automatically.
Kim Hye-sung, who received 1S without even seeing the opposing pitcher's ball, just watched the second slider enter the strike zone. He then swung and missed the slider on the third pitch. As in his first at-bat, he was unable to respond to the breaking ball at all.
In the end, Kim Hye-sung finished the game by showing helplessness in his second at-bat.
The game revealed that Kim Hye-sung has completely lost confidence at bat. It can be seen as the aftermath of the sudden revision of the batting form.
Originally, Kim Hye-sung was recognized as an advantage in contact ability. However, it was evaluated that the homework was to supplement Major League pitchers' ability to cope with fastballs and their long-range hitting power, which was not very good even in the KBO League.
|
Roberts told local media on the 27th that `If there is one question mark for Kim Hye-sung, it is a blow. I think there is a difference here (from Minor League) in the fight against pitchers. So we're making adjustments." Looking at his batting form at the beginning of the camp, I think there should be a full-scale adjustment to cope with the high speed. We have to deal with the right-hander's flamboyant movements, cutters and changeups at the end of the ball" he once said.
It is evidence that Kim Hye-sung decided that he could not target Major League pitchers with the batting form he maintained in the KBO League. This is the background of ordering a full-scale revision of the batting form.
However, it is difficult to complete the batting form quickly. Sometimes there are batters who show quick adaptability, but they usually struggle throughout the season for several months. In the case of Kim Hye-sung, he began to touch his batting form in the spring camp in mid-February, and has been playing in exhibition games since the 21st of last month. However, he is only showing lethargy in the match against pitchers with his changed batting form.
He seems to be unable to respond not only to fastballs but also to breaking balls at all. He recorded only one hit in 14 at-bats, and even that was an infield grounder. He almost got out, but he was safe with his quick feet. If it wasn't for this, it would have been 14 consecutive hits.
|
|
In order for new members to enter the limited opening roster, they must eventually appeal their values to the coaching staff through spring camps and exhibition games. Before the camp, the Dodgers' coaching staff's evaluation of Kim Hye-sung was quite favorable.
He had strength in defense and considered himself a utility player with stable contact and baserunning ability. I thought that if I supplement my long-shot power a little more, I would become a main second baseman or utility player with a lot of utilization. However, Kim Hye-sung's ability in practice fell far short of expectations. He is not adjusting not only to fastballs but also to breaking balls at all. It is difficult to put a player with a batting average of less than 10 percent on the opening roster. No matter how strong Kim Hye-sung is in defense, it is hard to say that he has an impact enough to give up a spot on the roster.
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
