The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A Oklahoma City, the club announced on Sunday.
Kim had been in a battle for a roster spot with Alex Freeland, but it was the latter who won the job and will make the Opening Day roster. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was high on Freeland’s at-bat quality, despite the lack of production.
Kim was hitting .407 with a .967 on-base plus slugging this spring, while adding one home run, six RBI, eight runs scored and five stolen bases. He also participated in the World Baseball Classic for Team Korea, but only went 1-for-12 in his opportunities.
The 27-year-old seemed to have the inside edge on the roster spot given his strong spring, along with his versatility to play second base, shortstop and center field. However, Kim has also continued to make changes to his swing, and the Dodgers would likely prefer he keep working on it in the Minor Leagues, rather than at the Major League level.
Last season, Kim got off to a hot start with the Dodgers when he made his debut, but struggled late in the season. He finished the year hitting .280 with a .699 OPS while tallying three home runs, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.
He was also part of the Dodgers’ postseason roster, but did not start any games and was mainly around as a pinch runner.
Dodgers second base platoon
With Kim optioned, Freeland now opens the season in a platoon at second base with Miguel Rojas. Freeland should see most of his at-bats against right-handers, while Rojas gets the brunt of opportunities against southpaws.
Although Freeland only hit .116 in 43 Spring Training at-bats, the Dodgers have been impressed by his underlying metrics and believe he is due for improved results, while also projecting regression for Kim.
Freeland is among the most patient hitters in baseball, which can be both a good and bad thing, and his patience has limited his production against MLB pitchers. But if he can improve on his aggressiveness in the zone while still rarely chasing outside the zone, he could become a quality everyday player in the Majors.
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