Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Hyeseong Kim had an eventful rookie year, going from beginning the season in Triple-A to winning the World Series with the Dodgers at the end of the season.
Kim got off to a hot start after leaving KBO, posting an OPS just shy of .800 with the Oklahoma City Comets in Triple-A. The Dodgers called him up towards the beginning of May, and he made an instant impact on the lineup.
The 26-year-old took advantage of his limited opportunities over the first month of his MLB career, batting .422 with an OPS north of 1.000 in May. Kim’s numbers began to drop off after that, though, as he dealt with a shoulder injury in July and saw less and less time on the field.
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He still had solid numbers at the end of the season, though, batting .280 with a .699 OPS and three home runs on the year.
Despite Kim’s solid performances for the Dodgers as a role player, he’s looking to come back stronger next season.
“30 out of 100,” Kim said. “I’m not sure why, but I wasn’t satisfied. I think I have a long way to go. To fill the remaining 70 points, I need to improve in all areas. As a baseball player, I will strive to reach 100.”
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Kim could very well get more opportunities in 2026, as Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández — the Dodgers’ primary utility options in 2025 — are both currently free agents. He also has some experience in the outfield, and while he didn’t log any time in left field this season, could form a platoon with Alex Call next season to meet the Dodgers’ needs if they avoid signing a replacement for Michael Conforto.
Kim is only scratching the surface of what he is capable of in MLB, and will look to produce more of what he did during his first month in MLB next season.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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One Response
I follow the team, not like some do, let alone the front office, but it sure looked to me like Kim had an impressive season in his limited playing time. Looking forward to seeing what he can do next year!