LOS ANGELES — When Hyeseong Kim walks as much as the plate at Dodger Stadium, “Welcome to the Present” by Day6 is his accompanying music of alternative. It is a becoming observe for the previous KBO star, who’s seeing his first Main League motion after eight seasons in South Korea.
Kim went 2-for-2 and hit his first large league homer, a game-tying solo shot, within the fifth inning of Wednesday night time’s 9-3 win over the A’s. For Kim, who grew up admiring the Dodgers, it was a second he had been ready for.
“I at all times dreamed to play on this stadium,” Kim mentioned by interpreter Joe Lee. “I’m actually blissful. I’m actually thrilled proper now.”
Relationship again to Spring Coaching, these round Kim appear to gravitate towards him. Even his opponents appear to love him. There is a language barrier, however Kim speaks freely together with his teammates and loops in Lee as wanted.
“We’re making an attempt to squeeze all of the English we acquired,” mentioned Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had a high quality begin on Wednesday, by interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda.
Not solely has Kim made himself somebody his teammates pull for by his on a regular basis interactions, however he is backed it up together with his play on the sphere.
In 11 video games with the Dodgers, Kim is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with an .840 OPS. He is fielded second base nicely, exhibiting why he is received three KBO Golden Glove Awards on the place. And he is confirmed to be a risk on the basepaths, able to stepping into opposing pitchers’ heads.
One inning after Kim’s game-tying blast, supervisor Dave Roberts pinch-hit Miguel Rojas towards a left-hander in Kim’s spot within the order, and Rojas got here by with a go-ahead RBI double. It wasn’t a completely stunning transfer since Kim has solely had one plate look towards a lefty in his quick time with the Dodgers, however it signaled that his alternatives are nonetheless considerably restricted in his first stint within the large leagues.
Kim was referred to as up from Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis when Tommy Edman went on the 10-day injured listing with proper ankle irritation. It was indicated on the time that it could be a brief stint within the large leagues, however the 26-year-old has gotten a good quantity of runway in his time with the Dodgers, particularly after Teoscar Hernández additionally went on the IL with a left groin pressure.
However each Edman and Hernández might be again subsequent week, leaving Kim and James Outman because the almost definitely to be optioned as soon as they’re each activated.
“I believe that we needed to get him right here to chop his enamel, get his toes moist and see what the large leagues are about, get acquainted,” Roberts mentioned of Kim. “As soon as Tommy and Teo come again, there’s some selections to be made. However efficiency, and the way he is enjoying, actually helps his case.”
Then again, the Dodgers made a transfer on Wednesday that confirmed they’re keen to shake issues up. The staff referred to as up high prospect Dalton Dashing earlier than the sport, designating longtime backup catcher Austin Barnes for task in an effort to open a spot on the roster.
As a left-handed bat able to enjoying the infield and outfield — and with loads of pace — Kim brings a special dimension to the Dodgers. In a really perfect world, the staff would not need him to be a bench bat. Given that he’s persevering with to regulate his swing and acclimate to Main League pitching, he would profit drastically from getting on a regular basis reps.
However the identical is true for Dashing, and the Dodgers are set on persevering with his growth on the large league stage, even when he isn’t enjoying day by day. If Kim continues to be an affect participant for Los Angeles, maybe the membership might work out an identical plan for him.
“I believe with [Kim],” Roberts mentioned, “it is simply such a dynamic participant that simply placing the ball in play, shifting it ahead, one thing good probably can occur, and that is what he is doing for us.”
Kim is making an attempt to regulate what he can management, slightly than desirous about how the staff views his position. And he can management the method that results in extra outcomes like he acquired on Wednesday.
“I don’t actually strive to consider hitting with energy,” Kim mentioned. “I believe the one factor that I actually care about is to hit [the ball hard]. And if a success comes out, I’m blissful. And if not, I’ve acquired to attempt to work arduous on it.”
