Could it be that the major league call-up is imminent? The scene capturing Kim Hye-sung embracing teammates after missing a Triple-A minor league game has drawn attention to his future.
Kim Hye-sung, a member of the Oklahoma City Dodgers and affiliated with Triple-A, missed the home game against the El Paso Chihuahuas (affiliated with the San Diego Padres) held at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the 7th (Korea time).
The Oklahoma City lineup included Estuery Luis (left field), Alex Freeland (shortstop), Michael Chavis (first base), James Outman (center field), KODI Hodge (third base), Ryan Ward (designated hitter), Austin Gotiere (second base), Chris Okey (catcher), and Justin Dean (right field), and they lost to El Paso 4-6. Bobby Miller, who pitched as the second reliever, took the loss after allowing 2 hits (1 home run), 6 walks, and 3 earned runs over 5 innings with 3 strikeouts.
Local media did not view Kim Hye-sung's absence as merely a rest. The U.S. media outlet Sports Illustrated (SI) noted, "Fans are buzzing about a potential call-up through videos of the Dodgers' Triple-A game," quoting a significant social media clip.
According to the video, Kim Hye-sung gave high-fives to teammates in the Oklahoma City dugout before embracing manager Scott Hennessy. The video features a comment that questions, "Doesn't it seem like Kim Hye-sung is receiving congratulations? Is his major league call-up imminent?"
Kim Hye-sung signed with the Dodgers for a total of $22 million over 3+2 years (approximately 3.21 billion won) but struggled against unfamiliar big league pitchers during spring training and failed to make the opening day roster. After being demoted to the minor leagues, he began the season in Triple-A, recording a batting average of .273 (9 hits out of 33 at-bats), 6 RBIs, 7 runs, 2 stolen bases, and an OPS of .823 in 8 games. Recently hitting safely in 5 consecutive games, he has been classified as a strong candidate for a Dodgers big league call-up with a monthly batting average of .300 in April.
SI speculated, "Dodgers fans are wondering who will come up to the majors in place of struggling center fielder Andy Pahes. As Kim Hye-sung, the second baseman, appeared in the Oklahoma City dugout, a video revealed his impressive performance along with congratulations from teammates. If this truly signifies Kim Hye-sung's call-up, Tommy Edman will take over center field in place of Pahes, and Kim Hye-sung will enter at second base."
After completing their road trip against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers will move to Washington starting on the 8th to play a three-game series against the Washington Nationals, who belong to the National League East Division. Attention is focused on whether Kim Hye-sung will be able to catch transportation from Oklahoma City to Washington after embracing the Triple-A manager.
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