At this point, I wonder if it's not about disbelief but rather about hate. This refers to the usage of Kim Hye-seong by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Kim Hye-seong has been subjected to a strict platoon system since his debut in the big leagues. He often found himself on the bench when a left-handed starter took the mound. The problem is that even if he performs well against a left-handed pitcher, he is inevitably replaced when another left-handed pitcher appears.

On the 10th (Korean time), Kim Hye-seong started as the number 9 center fielder in an away game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California. After grounding out to the shortstop with one out in the second inning against San Diego ace Nick Pivetta, he struck out swinging with two outs and runners on second and third in the third inning.

Trailing 5-6 in the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on second in scoring position, Kim Hye-seong hit a double down the right-field line against the second left-handed pitcher for San Diego, Yuuki Matsui, bringing home the runner Max Muncy from second base. It was truly a valuable double.

However, when left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon came in during the eighth inning, Kim Hye-seong was replaced by right-handed hitter Kiké Hernández. Hernández, who had been on the bench throughout the game, struck out swinging. It’s a hindsight issue, but I wonder what would have happened if Kim Hye-seong had been kept in the game.

Japanese sports media outlet Sankei Sports reported, "Kim Hye-seong recorded three hits and three RBIs in three at-bats against left-handed pitchers, including hitting a game-tying double off Yuuki Matsui. However, manager Roberts replaced him with a pinch-hitter as soon as a left-handed pitcher came to the mound." Reactions indicated that it was hard to understand.

Manager Roberts explained the reason he chose Hernández to pinch-hit for Kim Hye-seong. He said, "Kim Hye-seong's matchup against Matsui was good. The velocity of his fastball was not that high, and his swing timing was good. However, Morejon is a pitcher who throws faster pitches, and I thought it would be a tough at-bat for Kim Hye-seong." From the manager's perspective, it's understandable. The problem was what came next. Manager Roberts' explanation was truly absurd.

Roberts stated, "I wanted to give Hernández an opportunity as well. He needs to get stronger against left-handed pitchers, and he recognizes this point himself. That is the reason for bringing Kiké in as a pinch-hitter for Kim Hye-seong."

Hernández's batting average this season is only .223 (29 hits in 130 at-bats). While it is generally said that right-handed hitters are strong against left-handed pitchers, Hernández is an exception. His batting average against left-handed pitchers is a poor .185 (10 hits in 54 at-bats). In contrast, Kim Hye-seong has a high batting average of .410 this season (25 hits in 61 at-bats). Although it is a small sample size, he recorded three hits and three RBIs in three at-bats against left-handed pitchers, including one home run and one double.

The utilization of players is a manager's unique authority, but many people are reacting that they simply cannot understand manager Roberts' methods with Kim Hye-seong. Nevertheless, manager Roberts remains unmoved. It’s a remarkable stubbornness.

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