Kim Hye-sung, who is active with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been excluded from the starting lineup for two consecutive days.
The Dodgers released the starting lineup for their game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on the 19th (Korean time). The batting order was arranged with designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, shortstop Mookie Betts, catcher Will Smith, first baseman Freddie Freeman, right fielder Andy Pahes, center fielder Tommy Edman, third baseman Kiké Hernández, left fielder Michael Conforto, and second baseman Miguel Rojas.
After graduating from Dong-san High School, Kim Hye-sung began his professional career when he was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft by Nexen Heroes. Until last year, he played in a total of 953 games in the first team, with a batting average of .343, 1,043 hits in 3,433 at-bats, 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, 591 runs, 211 stolen bases, and an OPS of .767.
Last year, he successfully finished the season with a batting average of .326 in 127 games, with 166 hits in 509 at-bats, 11 home runs, 75 RBIs, 90 runs, 30 stolen bases, and an OPS of .841. He pursued entry into Major League Baseball through the posting system and signed a maximum 3+2 year contract worth $22 million with the Dodgers.
Kim Hye-sung received good evaluations for his defense and baserunning, but his offense did not meet expectations. He finished with a batting average of .207 in spring training, recording 6 hits in 29 at-bats, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 6 runs, and 2 stolen bases, and started the season at the Triple-A level.
So far this season, Kim Hye-sung has a batting average of .452 with 14 hits in 31 at-bats, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 9 runs, and an OPS of 1.066.
Kim Hye-sung did not make the starting lineup for the game against the Angels on the 18th. Manager Dave Roberts noted in an interview with local media before the game, "I don’t think the pitching trajectory of the opposing left-handed starter Tyler Anderson will match well with Kim Hye-sung."
He added, "I also wanted to give opportunities to Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas today. Kim Hye-sung has had many opportunities recently and will continue to do so in the future." Kim Hye-sung, who remained on the bench throughout the game, participated as a pinch runner in the 9th inning.
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