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The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a 10-1 win against the Miami Marlins and may have found a new secret weapon from Triple-A.
After winning four Gold Glove awards in Korea Baseball Organization, Hyeseong Kim brought his talents to Los Angeles via a $12.5 million deal. Velocity differences between MLB and KBO pitchers came with their own difficulties for Kim, but after a .252 batting average in the minors, plus an injury to Tommy Edman, Kim made his debut Saturday night.
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Although his first two appearances were on defense and as a pinch runner, Kim got his first start Monday, and subsequently recorded first MLB hit and RBI.
He extended his hit streak the following day, and in the series finale on Wednesday, Kim added another hit and RBI to his collection.
His recent performances have earned the respect of a few of his superstar teammates, specifically Shohei Ohtani.
“Just an amazing performance by Kim,” Ohtani said after his first career start on Monday. “Really good, just overall. Even yesterday, as well. So I’m very happy for him.”
Although Kim is far from a no-name player, especially given his .304 career batting average in eight seasons of KBO play, he admitted some feelings of being starstruck as he adjusts to sharing a clubhouse with the illustrious Ohtani.
“I would say I’m still not comfortable with him, because he’s a big star,” Kim said. “But he always talks to me first, he always asks questions, always talks to me, so that makes for a good adjustment and adapting.”
From adapting to North American pitching speeds, to now adapting to superstar teammates, Kim has had quite the wild ride to begin his MLB career.
“Honestly, I just think everyone loves Hyeseong Kim,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He just adds that spark to our ballclub,” continued the skipper.
The Dodgers head to Arizona for a four-game set to complete a 10-game road trip before heading back to L.A. for a nine-game homestand.
Kim, who’s made three straight starts, appears to be making himself a mainstay in the lineup for the time being.
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Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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