Hyeseong Kim Grew Up Watching Dodgers, Chose Jersey Number Because of Trea Turner
When Hyeseong Kim agreed to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, the No. 3 he had worn throughout his eight-year career in the Korean Baseball Organization was already taken.
So, he pivoted and looked to a former Dodger for inspiration, choosing No. 6 in honor of Trea Turner. The current Philadelphia Phillies shortstop spent less than two seasosn in Los Angeles, but made a big enough impact on Kim that he’s willing to take it on.
“Hopefully, I can also play well wearing the same number as Trea Turner,” Kim told reporters, including Jeeho Yoo of the Korean Yonhap News Agency.
The Dodgers acquired Turner in 2021 at the trade deadline, along with right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer. He hit .338 over the final 52 games of the season, helping lead the team to the National League Championship Series. He returned in 2022, posting a .298 average with 21 home runs and an .809 OPS before signing with the Phillies in free agency.
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Kim is determined to crack the Opening Day roster in his first Major League Baseball season after signing his first Major League Baseball contract. He will have some competition in the infield, but the Dodgers are looking for him to play multiple positions.
The utility infielder is willing to do whatever it takes to earn his spot.
“I have to play better than I did last year,” he said. “I want to be able to capitalize on my strengths and help the team the best I can.”
Over eight seasons in the KBO, Kim posted a .304/.364/.403 slash line. Although he has never been known for power with just 37 home runs in 953 games — including a career-high 11 in 2024 — he excelled on the base paths. Kim stole a KBO-best 211 bases from 2018, his first full season, through 2024, while being caught only 37 times.
Kim has also been reliable defensively throughout his career.
The KBO introduced the Fielding Award in 2023 to honor defensive excellence, and Kim won the first two awards for second base in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, he has earned the Gold Glove four times, given to the best overall player at each position. Kim won the award as a shortstop in 2021 and as a second baseman from 2022 to 2024.
Kim is already in Arizona preparing for spring training and getting acclimated to being in the Dodgers organization which should only help him when his teammates begin reporting in just a few weeks.
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Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
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