Kim Hyeseong (infielder), active in the Los Angeles Dodgers, is increasingly solidifying his position within the team. 'Dodger Blue', which mainly covers Dodgers news, reported on the 4th (Korea time) that 'Kim Hyeseong, who joined the Dodgers this season, is growing his presence in the team day by day,' and noted, 'He has captured the attention of fans and teammates with his remarkable performance since his Major League debut.'
Kim Hyeseong, whose spring training batting average was .270 (29 at-bats, 6 hits) with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 6 runs, and 2 stolen bases, began this season in Triple-A Oklahoma City and made his big league debut last month. The media noted, 'Since then, he has established himself as one of the most productive hitters in the Dodgers lineup. In particular, he accomplished the rare feat of reaching base in his first 9 plate appearances since his Major League debut, becoming the second player in team history to achieve this record after Corey Seager in 2015.'
On the 1st, Kim Hyeseong contributed to an 18-2 blowout victory against the New York Yankees with 4 hits in 4 at-bats, including a home run, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs. He became the first player in the 125-year history of Major League Baseball to record 4 hits, a home run, a double play without an assist, and an outfield assist simultaneously.
The media reported, 'Kim Hyeseong's contributions to the Dodgers have a value beyond mere statistics,' adding that 'Manager Dave Roberts praised, 'Kim Hyeseong brings energy to the team just by being on the field. His youthful passion and joy are palpable, and it feels good to be part of the team.'
It also added, 'Manager Roberts said, 'Even when the count was against him, he maintained concentration, battled through with fouls, and hit a home run. He also showcased fantastic double plays and assists on defense. He played an exceptional game.'
Kim Hyeseong is adding tactical flexibility to the team by playing various positions, including second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder. 'Dodger Blue' reported, 'Initially, Kim Hyeseong's promotion to the big leagues was merely for the sake of gaining experience. However, his performance has rapidly changed his status within the team, ultimately leading to the release of Chris Taylor.'
'Currently, he mainly starts from the bench and participates in about 3 games per week, but if this upward trend continues, he will become a difficult player to exclude from the lineup,' it projected.
Blake Snell also praised Kim Hyeseong's performance, saying, 'He has progressed significantly since spring training, and the energy and positive mindset he displays during games have a good effect on everyone.'
'Dodger Blue' reported, 'Now, Kim Hyeseong's story is not just a simple 'surprise call-up,' but rather a genuine demonstration of Major League competitiveness.'
[OSEN]