It’s Time For the Dodgers to Call Up Hyeseong Kim: Opinion
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their season 8-0, but have since hit a rough patch, losing six of their last nine games.
The Dodgers have lost three consecutive series to the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, and Chicago Cubs, and were most recently outscored 20-5 at home against Chicago.
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The Dodgers lineup has been uncharacteristically bad over the last couple weeks. Since April 1, across the team’s nine-game losing streak, the Dodgers lineup has a combined OPS of .651, which ranks 24th in Major League Baseball.
While the top of the lineup hasn’t been living up to their billing, the bottom of the Dodgers lineup has been among the worst in the league. The Nos. 7-9 hitters in the Dodgers order have a combined OPS of .508 this season, which ranks 28th in MLB, only ahead of the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.
Since April 1, the Dodgers’ last three spots in the lineup have been the worst in MLB, with an OPS of .436.
Those hitters mainly include the likes of Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, Andy Pages, Kiké Hernández, Austin Barnes, and Chris Taylor.
It’s clear the Dodgers need to make a change, and fortunately for them, they have a player in Oklahoma City who’s exceeding expectations right now in Hyeseong Kim.
The Dodgers signed Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million deal this offseason, with options that could make it a five-year pact. Los Angeles knew that Kim would need some time as he adjusted to big league pitching, thus, after a slow spring, they elected to option him to Triple-A.
Kim has been sensational as a hitter for OKC, especially as of late. On the year, he’s slashing .290/.362/.581 with three home runs, 11 extra-base hits, 13 RBIs, and four stolen bases with an OPS of .943.
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He has multiple hits in six of 14 games, and has three home runs in the last three games, including a multi-homer game on Saturday with his second one going a whopping 462 feet.
When the Dodgers signed Kim, they raved about his plus glove at second base. The team has also played him at shortstop and center field this spring, furthering his versatility.
The Dodgers need a spark, and Kim is the perfect option. He would be the everyday second baseman against right-handed pitching, allowing Tommy Edman to move to center field which would give L.A. two above-average defenders.
Additionally, he’d likely bat ninth, which would allow him to serve as a table setter for the top of the order.
Kim’s adjustments in Triple-A are already paying off, and the Dodgers desperately need a lineup spark on the big league roster.
It’s time to shake things up, and give Kim the opportunity he’s rightfully earned.
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Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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The Dodgers have shown extreme patience with certain players (Barnes, Pages, Rojas, Muncy). Its time to bring up younger players to see if they are actual MLB players.
Bring him up. If he can be as good as J.H. Lee of the Giants all the better, I see the similarities. Anything can be better than CT3 and Muncy taking up space on the roster. Both are playing themselves out as Dodgers.
Yes, time to give him a try. And time to get rid of Pages since he’s a liability and not an asset. Edman can play CF until the team hopefully finds a solid defensive/offensive CF slugger. The team is stagnating and somewhat treading water right now and need a spark, especially since the Friars are on fire. I think we all agree this team is not living up to their Billion Dollar hype right now. And also bet most wish we had kept Busch and give him a try at 3B to give Muncy some time off his dismal start.
The Dodgers have a one of the best right fielders in the history of baseball playing shortstop. They have a gold glove second baseman playing too many positions other than second base. They have a third baseman who can’t hit left handed pitching and when he plays, strikes out “way too much” and I guarantee will never ever win a gold glove. They have a center fielder who is not living up to his potential. The Dodgers continue to have pitching injuries that they apparently have no idea how to fix. Just my observation…..
Agreed. Friedman did a great job with the pitching staff (if they stay relatively healthy all season) but the bottom half of the order is more the booty half and don’t contribute enough. It’s time to do something about it!