Kim Hye-sung, who is active in the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been subjected to a strict platoon system since his Major League Baseball debut. Although his batting average is .391 (25 hits in 64 at-bats) this season, which is a small sample size, he has shown strength against left-handed pitchers with 3 hits in 4 at-bats for a .750 average. Nevertheless, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts often benches Kim Hye-sung when a left-handed pitcher comes in.
However, the performances of Miguel Rojas (20 hits in 93 at-bats) with a batting average of .215 (1 home run, 5 RBIs, 8 runs) and Kiké Hernández (29 hits in 133 at-bats) with a batting average of .218 (7 home runs, 18 RBIs, 19 runs) are not exceptional either.
Dodgers Nation, which mainly reports on Dodgers news, noted on the 14th (Korea time) the reasons why manager Roberts applies a strict platoon system to Kim Hye-sung.
The media reported, "Dodgers utility player Kim Hye-sung received an opportunity for a Major League call-up in early May, shortly after Tommy Edman was placed on the injured list due to an ankle injury. His performance has made it unavoidable for the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster. However, despite recording a batting average of .391, Kim Hye-sung has not yet received sufficient playing opportunities."
The media added, "Kim Hye-sung has mainly faced right-handed pitchers since his Major League debut, but manager Roberts has determined that applying the platoon system to Kim Hye-sung is in the best interest of the whole team."
Kim Hye-sung started as the ninth center fielder in an away game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on the 10th.
With the team trailing 5-6, Kim Hye-sung faced left-handed pitcher Yuki Matsui, who was the second pitcher for San Diego, with two outs and a runner on second base, and blasted a two-run double down the right field line, bringing home the runner Max Muncy. It was truly a valuable double.
However, when left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon came in during the eighth inning, Kim Hye-sung was replaced by right-handed hitter Kiké Hernández. Hernández, who had been sitting on the bench throughout the game, struck out swinging. It is a matter of results, but one wonders what could have happened if Kim Hye-sung had been kept in.
Dodgers Nation reported, "Kim Hye-sung has recorded 3 hits in 4 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season (batting average .750), but manager Roberts has decided that 'he needs to show a stronger performance against left-handed pitchers' and expressed a desire for 'Hernández to also build competitiveness (against left-handed pitchers).'"
Among fans, there are strong voices calling for Kim Hye-sung to be included in the starting lineup. However, manager Roberts stated, "Kim Hye-sung has been fulfilling the necessary role well so far," and maintained a cautious stance, suggesting that he should be developed slowly while providing him opportunities against left-handed pitchers.
Furthermore, the media reported, "Manager Roberts is very careful with his decisions and is cautiously approaching the withdrawal of Kim Hye-sung from the platoon system."
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