LA Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said, "Kim Hye-sung runs base and defense is outstanding..."Checking the explosive power in Seoul"
LA Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said, "Kim Hye-sung runs base and defense is outstanding..."Checking the explosive power in Seoul"
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When Kim Hye-sung was confirmed to go to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the MLB Secretariat of the U.S. Major League Baseball posted a scene on its official social networking service (SNS) that Kim Hye-sung hit a double at Gocheok Dome in March last year, hitting the right fence through 97.3 miles per hour (about 157 kilometers) fastball by Dodgers starting agent Bobby Miller.먹튀검증
In fact, the double hit as a member of "Team Korea" served as an opportunity for the Dodgers to carefully observe Kim Hye-sung.
"Kim Hye-sung showed dynamic athletic ability and explosive power in the Seoul Series warm-up match," Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes said after signing a three-year guarantee of $12.5 million (about 18.4 billion won) with Kim Hye-sung and up to $22 million (about 32.4 billion won) for 3+2 years. "It's really fun to recruit a player with athletic ability and various talents."
In March last year, the MLB Secretariat held the opening two consecutive games between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul.
The KBO formed "Team Korea" with young players and played one warm-up match with the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, who visited Gocheok Dome. Kim Hye-sung started as the first batter and second baseman in an warm-up match with the Dodgers on March 18, and scored one hit and one run from three times at bat.
In the top of the third inning, he hit Miller's fastball and hit a double that flew 115.5 meters at 163.5 kilometers per hour.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "Among Korean fielders, second baseman stood out. Good batting and good movement when defending."
If Kim breaks through the competition and is included in the 26-man roster, Roberts and Kim can play for a team in 2025.
Kim Hye-sung, who started his professional career by being named seventh in the second round by the Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom) in 2017, played in 953 games in the KBO League by 2024 with a batting average of 0.304, 37 homers, 386 RBIs and 211 steals.
Kim Hye-sung, who has established himself as one of the leading infielders in the KBO League since 2022, played a batting average of 0.326, 11 home runs, 75 RBIs, 30 steals, and 0.841 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).
Several MLB scouts visited South Korea to closely observe Kim Hye-sung because he has sophisticated hitting, fast feet, and defense capabilities.
"Kim Hye-sung is a 'double plus runner,'" Gomes said after praising his baserunning ability. "He can display good defense in various positions. He also has strength in hitting."
However, regarding how to use Kim Hye-sung, Gomes said, "We have recruited a talented player. We will see how the situation unfolds."
The Dodgers are expected to set up an infield team with second baseman Gavin Lux, shortstop Mookie Betts and third baseman Max Muncy. There are backup resources such as infield utility player Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, who travel between inside and outside, and Tommy Hyun-soo Edman, who has been designated as the main center fielder for the 2025 season, can also play as an infielder.
Kim Hye-sung's realistic goal in 2025 is to enter the main second baseman competition after securing a backup infielder position.
Local media predicted that the Dodgers could strengthen the pitching staff by using the fielder as a trade card during the season.
ESPN reported that Kim has almost no drawbacks when it comes to contracting with Kim. It added a fielder who can stand in multiple positions without spending a large amount of money, and evaluated the contract between the Dodgers and Kim as "B+."
However, Kim still has homework to raise her profile. ESPN emphasized, "The player that the Dodgers recruited this time is Kim Hye-sung, not Kim Ha-sung. We should not get confused," and also wrote a photo of Oh Ji-hwan (LG Twins) in an article on Kim Hye-sung.