Kim Hye-sung (26) of the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best day of his Major League Baseball debut. Manager Dave Roberts did not hold back on his praise but informed him of his exclusion from the starting lineup the very next day. He needs to show more competitiveness within the cold platoon system.

On the 1st (Korea time), Kim Hye-sung started as the ninth batter and shortstop in a home game against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, during the 2025 Major League Baseball season. He led the Dodgers to an 18-2 victory with four hits, including his second home run of the season, in four at-bats, along with two RBIs, three runs scored, and one walk.

After reaching base with a walk in his first at-bat during the first inning, Kim Hye-sung opened his account with a two-run home run in the second inning, followed by a single to left field in the fifth, another single to left-center in the sixth, and a double to left in the eighth. He was one triple short of hitting for the cycle. Kim Hye-sung raised his batting average from .366 to .422 and significantly increased his OPS from .859 to 1.058.

In defense, he caught a line drive from the Yankees' Yorbit Viva in the third inning and made a spectacular diving play to turn a double consolidation by tagging the runner at second base. In the sixth inning, while playing center field, he made an impressive catch of a ball hit by Aaron Judge that struck the left-center fence and made an accurate throw to second base for an out. It marked his first outfield assist.

After the game, in an official interview, Manager Roberts noted about Kim Hye-sung, "You can feel the young passion and pure joy. Just being at the baseball field makes him look happy, and his teammates draw strength from his energy."

Roberts added, "He handles himself well at the plate. Today, he persevered against a left-handed pitcher in an unfavorable count and ended up hitting a home run." Kim Hye-sung faced Yankees left-handed reliever Brent Hetrick in the second inning, where he worked the count to 1-2 after hitting three foul balls and taking one ball, then smashed a high four-seam fastball coming in at 92.2 mph (148.4 km/h) over the right-center wall. It was his first hit against a left-hander this year.

Roberts could not overlook Kim Hye-sung's defensive performance either. He stated, "Kim Hye-sung made excellent plays in defense. He helped turn a double consolidation with pitcher Landon Knack and showed good throwing ability while catching Judge's hit. He has a strong arm," and added, "Overall, he's an excellent baseball player. He is making the most of his opportunities and turning them into his own."

While Roberts continued to heap praise, he announced that Kim Hye-sung would not be in the starting lineup for the game against the Yankees on the 2nd. Roberts said, "Kim Hye-sung will not play tomorrow, but he will be back on the 3rd (against the New York Mets). His energy and vibe will continue."

The exclusion of Kim Hye-sung from the lineup against the Yankees on the 2nd appears to be due to the type of opposing starting pitcher. The Yankees will start left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbough on the 2nd. Aside from Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Andy Pajes, the Dodgers are thoroughly employing a platoon system based on the types of left and right pitchers for the remaining one or two positions, and Kim Hye-sung will also sit on the bench when a left-handed starter is on the mound.

However, since he showed his responsiveness by hitting a home run against a left-handed pitcher that day, Kim Hye-sung may feel a bit disappointed about his exclusion from the starting lineup against the Yankees on the 2nd. As he faces right-handed starter Paul Blackburn from the Mets on the 3rd, Kim Hye-sung must show even more competitiveness.

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