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Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Hyeseong Kim is on the fringes of the team’s roster, avoiding a demotion due to injuries that have given him more time to prove himself.
After a great time hitting for contact and showing some improvement at the plate, Kim has been cold, hitting just .158/.190/.158 in his last seven games, with one RBI, three hits, and six strikeouts.
The Dodgers have seen him destroy right-handed pitching for the most part, but that has started to slow down, and he was set to be demoted as a result, according to Dave Roberts, with Alex Freeland stepping in.
In fact, Freeland was on his way to LA from Oklahoma City, where he played down in the minor leagues, on Tuesday to replace Kim, when all of a sudden, **** Hernandez suffered an oblique injury and needed to go on the injured list.
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May 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim (6) catches the fly ball of Colorado Rockies right fielder Tyler Freeman (2) during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
As a result, Kim can stay on for the time being. In fact, another injury hit with Teoscar Hernandez getting hurt, and Kim filled in at left field for the first time in his major league career.
Despite almost losing his spot on the Dodgers, Kim seems more focused on the process and results of his play than on where he is.
“As a baseball player, it’s my job to produce, so I’m always focused on producing numbers, and just given the situation, I try not to think about it too much,” Kim said through an interpreter. “Just keep working hard and keep producing as best I can.”
Kim knows what he needs to fix.
Kim is chasing and whiffing on pitches more than he did at the start. He is walking less, striking out more, and the Dodgers highly value his on-base rate, which puts him in a tough spot.
The Korean star is seemingly well aware of where he needs to improve, and his discipline and pitch recognition need to return to previous levels.
“The only difference is the result,” Kim said. “As the season goes, obviously there are going to be ups and downs. I need to recognize what I need to keep working on and keep working on that throughout the season.”
The next few weeks will be crucial for Kim to keep his spot, and he needs to take advantage of his chance.
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