Blake Snell and Hyeseong Kim were among the Los Angeles Dodgers’ many free-agent signings prior to the 2025 season, as the team hoped to give itself the best chance to repeat as World Series champions.
The two have formed a close friendship during this first season in L.A. The Dodgers signed Snell away from the San Francisco Giants, while Kim came over from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Snell had a high opinion of his new teammate even before meeting him, thanks to a glowing character reference from his former Giants teammate Jung Hoo Lee.
“I’ve been really close with both of them,” Snell said. “When we signed Kim, Lee just said, great guy, take care of him, really good person. And me and Kim started hanging out, talking. He’s just been an awesome teammate and an awesome friend.
“I love the way he shows up to work, competes. He wants to be the best. It’s fun to talk with him and be around him just because of how much passion and energy he brings every day to the field.”
Lee and Kim were KBO teammates for seven years while playing for the Kiwoom Heroes. The pair had an extremely similar path to the MLB, as both debuted for the Heroes in 2017 at just 18 years old.
Lee left the KBO to sign with the Giants in 2024, and Kim soon followed in 2025.
Lee was an Opening Day starter for the Giants during his rookie season, but only played in 37 total games because of a left shoulder dislocation that caused him to miss most of the year.
Kim started his first MLB season in the Minor Leagues with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but made his debut with the Dodgers on May 3. Kim enjoyed a successful rookie season, batting .280/.314/.385 with six doubles, one triple, three home runs and 13 stolen bases in 71 games.
Hyeseong Kim, Blake Snell watch Son-Heung Min at LAFC game
Back in September, Kim and Snell were present to watch fellow South Korean Son Heung-Min play for Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) at BMO Stadium.
Kim and Snell posed for a photo with the LAFC star before the match, and later received an ovation from the fans in attendance when they were shown on the video board.
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