The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their infield depth with the signing of Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract during the offseason. The deal includes team options for the 2028 and 2029 seasons that must be exercised or declined together.
Kim joined the Dodgers after spending the last eight seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). He played six of those with the Kiwoom Heroes and won three KBO Fielding Awards from 2021-2023 while appearing at four different positions.
It has only been one week since Spring Training workouts began but Kim is doing his part to show that he belongs in the Majors. “He’s been great, awesome,” Mookie Betts said of Kim.
“He obviously loves playing baseball. He’s fit right in with the guys. I think he’ll be a good player.
It isn’t easy being the new player in camp but Betts helped break the ice by encouraging Dodgers fans to start a chant while Kim was fielding ground balls. While that likely put some pressure on the 26-year-old, he made the play to end the workout.
“That’s just what y’all saw. That’s not the first time he’s been put on the spot. We just want him to be comfortable and want him to understand he’s playing for the Dodgers,” Betts explained.
“There’s no way to simulate any type of high-leverage situation, so that’s the closest way for us to do it. Try to put a little pressure on him but let him know we have his back as well.”
Kim is known for his slick glove work and will receive most of his opportunities at second base this season. However, the Dodgers also plan to play him at third base and center field this spring to increase his versatility.
Mookie Betts wants to help Hyeseong Kim feel
The Dodgers will likely have two rookies on their Opening Day roster in Kim and Roki Sasaki. Betts said it isn’t necessarily a set responsibility of his to help them feel comfortable, but still enjoys doing so for the betterment of the team.
“It’s just something I take pride in doing. I’m here for a long time and I understand where I’m at in my career and how people view me,” Betts began.
“It took a little time to understand it, but I get it now. I understand I can help him feel comfortable and I’m going to do everything I can to make him comfortable. Because at the end of the day with him comfortable, that will be the best player in Kim that we can get.”
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