The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing the return of Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández, who were sidelined due to injuries. Accordingly, attention is focused on Kim Hye-sung's future situation. Reports have suggested releasing Chris Taylor to keep Kim Hye-sung, who has various uses, in the big leagues.
Kim Hye-sung, who graduated from Dongsan High School and began his professional career after being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft by Nexen Heroes, played in a total of 953 games in the first team until last year, recording a batting average of .343 (1,043 hits in 3,033 at-bats), 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, 591 runs scored, 211 stolen bases, and an OPS of .767.
Kim Hye-sung has won the Golden Glove for shortstop once and for second base three times from 2021 to 2024, and has been a regular member of the national team, participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2023 World Baseball Classic, 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, and 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championship.
After successfully finishing the season last year with a batting average of .326 (166 hits in 509 at-bats), 11 home runs, 75 RBIs, 90 runs scored, 30 stolen bases, and an OPS of .841, Kim Hye-sung pursued entrance into Major League Baseball through the posting system and signed a maximum of $22 million contract with the Dodgers for 3+2 years.
Kim Hye-sung received positive evaluations for his defense and baserunning, but his offense did not meet expectations. He ended spring training with a batting average of .207 (6 hits in 29 at-bats), 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 6 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases, failing to make the roster for the Tokyo Series and starting the season at the Triple-A level.
As of the 18th, Kim Hye-sung is recording a batting average of .452 (14 hits in 31 at-bats), 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 9 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases. Although he set a remarkable record with nine consecutive plate appearances reaching base, he was not included in the starting lineup for the home game against the Los Angeles Angels on the 18th and was inserted as a pinch runner in the ninth inning.
'Dodgers Way,' which primarily reports Dodgers news, noted, "The Dodgers can keep Kim Hye-sung in Major League Baseball amid roster changes. If Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández return to the big leagues, there is a high possibility that Kim Hye-sung and James Outman will be demoted to Triple-A."
The media added, "James Outman does not have as prominent of a performance as Kim Hye-sung, so demoting him to Triple-A would not be a major issue. However, if Kim Hye-sung is demoted, Dodgers fans may have a hard time accepting it."
'Dodgers Way' stated, "As Austin Barnes was designated for assignment, Chris Taylor can also be handled in the same way." Chris Taylor has a career total of 3,387 at-bats, 846 hits, a batting average of .250, 108 home runs, 433 RBIs, and 505 runs scored, but this season he has only recorded 7 hits in 35 at-bats with a batting average of .200, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs scored.
The Dodgers classify veteran catcher Austin Barnes as an extraneous player and actively utilize rookie catcher Dalton Rushing. Chris Taylor was a key hitter for the Dodgers who hit 25 home runs in 2022, but the media reported that a decision is necessary for Kim Hye-sung.
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