Could Kim Hye-seong's (26) big league life with the LA Dodgers be prolonged? Kim Hye-seong has already showcased his talent at the highest level with 200% effort. Now only the club's decision remains.

Since being called up from Triple-A on the 4th (Korea time), Kim Hye-seong has become a source of vitality for the Dodgers, swinging fiercely. Although the sample size is small with 13 games and 33 plate appearances, he is recording a batting average of .405 (31 at-bats, 14 hits), 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 9 runs, 3 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.066.

On the 17th against the Angels, he etched his name into a page of Dodgers history. Kim Hye-seong made a significant impact in the game against the Athletics on the 15th, recording 2 hits and 1 RBI, including a home run in 2 at-bats. In the game against the Athletics on the 16th, he showcased an outstanding batting display, achieving 3 hits in 3 at-bats, 2 walks, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs, marking his first career game with 3 hits and 5 times on base. He extended his streak of reaching base to 9 consecutive plate appearances by his second at-bat that day.

According to 'Elias Sports Bureau,' Kim Hye-seong's record of reaching base in 9 consecutive plate appearances ties for the most since Corey Seager's record in 2015. It marks the longest streak of reaching base since the Dodgers transferred their base from Brooklyn, New York, to Los Angeles in 1958. Kim Hye-seong’s name is prominently inscribed in Dodgers history.

Called up due to the ankle injury of utility player Tommy Edman, Kim Hye-seong is showcasing more than 200% of his talent as a 'temporary' big leaguer. Every day has been an edge-of-the-cliff showcase stage, yet he has captivated the players of the Dodgers, including Manager Dave Roberts, as well as local media and fans, by overcoming pressure and enjoying the world’s best stage.

After the game on the 17th, Manager Roberts noted in an interview with local media, "He’s a player that is fun to watch. Kim Hye-seong plays as if he is holding a magic wand," adding, "He has the ability to create good results at the plate and make impactful plays. If he can create such plays, good things will naturally follow. I really like the quality he brings at the plate."

On the 16th, the 'LA Times' reported, "His smile brightened the locker room, and his bat revived a stagnant offense. His speed has injected new vitality into the Dodgers' attack," strongly asserting, "Kim Hye-seong is a player suited for Major League Baseball. The Dodgers must find a way to keep him in the league by any means necessary."

At this point, Edman is expected to return for the final game of the series against the Angels on the 19th. Teoscar Hernández, who has been sidelined due to a groin injury, is also expected to play rehabilitation games this weekend at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. The moment for a decision regarding Kim Hye-seong’s future is approaching.

If Kim Hye-seong were to be overlooked at this juncture, it would be a heavy burden for the Dodgers as well. The effect he has brought is not negligible. Manager Roberts has pointed out the significant synergy effect of batting 9th with Kim Hye-seong and 1st with Shohei Ohtani, stating, "If the lower lineup does not connect with the upper lineup, opportunities do not arise easily. If that happens, it becomes much easier to pitch to Ohtani without runners on base. But thanks to Kim Hye-seong, the situation has completely changed. Kim Hye-seong consistently gets on base, creating a scenario where there are always runners on base."

He further emphasized the importance of Kim Hye-seong’s role by stating, "His speed puts tremendous stress on opponents. It creates a much more advantageous environment for offense, whether stealing bases or running from first to third. It’s clear that Kim Hye-seong is linking opportunities to the top of the lineup."

Sonya Chen, a reporter for MLB.com, also highlighted an interesting statistic involving Kim Hye-seong and Ohtani. On her social media, she presented: "I discovered an interesting fact that, excluding himself, the Dodgers player who has brought in Ohtani the most runs this season is Kim Hye-seong (5 runs)."

Given that Kim Hye-seong is adding dynamism to the team, sending him back to the minor leagues poses significant risk for the club. There’s no reason to disrupt the good atmosphere at hand. Kim Hye-seong is trying to concentrate on the present without making any predictions about the future. He mentioned, "I’ve been focusing at the plate and trying to survive, and I think the results are starting to show. Regarding my hitting form changes, it wasn’t easy to perform well as soon as I changed, but I think it’s yielding good results as I'm following the direction the team has provided."

Regarding his future, he commented, "When I go to the ballpark, I’m just trying to survive and play baseball the same way. I can’t predict the future," adding, "I’m currently having a great time. It’s a valuable experience that won’t come easily, so I’m enjoying it thoroughly."

As of now, Kim Hye-seong was absent from the starting lineup against the Angels on the 18th. It appears that a platoon was in effect against the Angels' left-hander Tyler Anderson.

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