Indeed, Kim Hye-seong has a natural talent for starting.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Kim Hye-seong started as the seventh center fielder in a game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on the 23rd (Korea time).
Kim Hye-seong has been inconsistently getting opportunities to play. After recording 1 hit and 1 run batted in during the game against the San Diego Padres on the 20th, he was excluded from the starting lineup in both subsequent games against Washington. In the game on the 21st, he was excluded from the starting lineup against the left-handed Mackenzie Gore and appeared as a defensive substitution in the top of the 9th. In the game on the 22nd, even though the right-handed Jake Irvin started, he was excluded from the starting lineup and did not step on the field. It was his first start in the Washington series and his starting appearance after three games.
In that game, the starting pitcher for Washington was Michael Soroka. Soroka has recorded 3 wins and 5 losses with an earned run average of 5.06 over 48 innings in 9 games this season.
That day, Kim Hye-seong was at the center of an unfortunate scene during the top of the 3rd inning while defending in center field. With two outs and runners on first and second, he chased after a large hit by Nathaniel Lowe to the left-center wall. He jumped in front of the wall, but the ball hit Kim Hye-seong's glove and fell. It was initially ruled a double. However, after a replay review, it was determined that the ball had hit Kim Hye-seong's glove, then hit a fan's hand before entering the ground. Ultimately, after the review, it was ruled a home run. It ended up being an assist to the home run by Kim Hye-seong.
In his first at-bat during the bottom of the 3rd inning, he swung at Soroka's 81.6 mph slider and was retired on a Samjin (strikeout). In the second at-bat, which came with two outs in the bottom of the 5th inning, Kim Hye-seong faced Soroka with a 2-ball hitting count and capitalized on his 94.2 mph four-seam fastball. He sent it toward left-center and achieved a double. He recorded the Dodgers' first hit of the day, showcasing his talent for starting.
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