Hyeseong Kim has quickly burst onto the scene for the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing excitement and production on and off the field.
But despite his best efforts thus far, Kim has remained in a minimal role, starting once or twice per week and being limited to mainly facing right-handed pitchers.
Part of that reason is because Kim has been blocked at second base by Tommy Edman, who was unable to play center field due to his right ankle injury.
The Dodgers attempted to get Kim reps in center field, but there have been growing pains. He doesn’t appear to a viable option there on a consistent basis, especially given the poor defense in the corners.
Edman has been limited by his ankle for roughly two months, but the issue now seems to be behind him.
With Edman’s ankle back to normal, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts plans to utilize him in center field more often, which will open playing time for Kim at second base, he said on SportsNet LA:
“Going forward, we’ll have some opportunities to get Hyeseong some more opportunities to play some second base. … Tommy is going to start playing some more outfield going forward.”
Andy Pages has been the Dodgers’ primary center fielder, but he is likely to move into a corner spot on days when Kim and Edman are both in the lineup. That could mean less time for Michael Conforto, who Roberts noted is in an important stretch leading up to the trade deadline.
Still, Kim is likely to be limited to just starting against right-handers, despite his success against lefties thus far.
But the Dodgers now have multiple ways to get him into the lineup. Along with Conforto receiving less playing time, Mookie Betts could use some additional days off, as could Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman.
Roberts is also not one to put out his best lineup on a nightly basis, instead saving that for the postseason to keep the entire roster involved and fresh during the regular season.
But this should mean Kim is going to get about three to four starts per week instead of the one or two he has been getting, and that’s something Roberts previously said was the plan.
Hyeseong Kim earning additional playing time
In 81 at-bats, Kim has hit an astonishing .383/.425/.543 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 12 RBI and 16 runs scored. He’s also added seven stolen bases in seven attempts.
While most of Kim’s damage has come against righties, where he’s hitting .355/.402/.474, he’s also enjoyed plenty of success in five at-bats against left-handers, batting .800/.800/1.600.
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