Mike Salas
On January 3, 2025, Hyeseong Kim signed a three-year, $12.5 million guaranteed contract, which also contained two additional option years that would increase the value to $22 million, with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the 2025 spring training, Kim showed signs of why the Dodgers picked him up and also showed he needs some work in the batter’s box.
Kim started the 2025 season on the Oklahoma City Comets roster. The Dodgers’ affiliate coaching staff is well known for pitcher development and hitting. In his first month in Triple-A ball, Oklahoma started the season on the road with a three-game series against defending Pacific League Champs Sugarland.
Kim had ten at bats, one run, two hits, one double, one triple, and four RBI’s. He had a .200AVG / .385OBP / .500SLG / .885OPS.
Hitting:
So far in the month of April OKC has played seven games, and Hyeseong has shown signs of improvement every game.
For the month of April. Kim’s stats are 33AB / 11R / 12H / 6 doubles / 5RBI / 2BB / 3SB / .364AVG / .400OBP / .545SLG / .945OPS. He has been the leadoff hitter for OKC the past seven games and that seems to be comfortable spot for him.
Fielding:
The Comets roster has Kim in three positions. He has played second base, short stop, and center field. After watching every game so far, Kim has really impressed me in center field. His speed gets him to the gaps and his lateral movement tracking a ball has earned him a high fielding percentage. His feel for second base is clear, but he is not as confident at the short stop position. Even though he won gold gloves for short stop and second base in the KBO, to me he is more comfortable at second.
In the ten games OKC has played so far, Kim has three starts at second, three starts at short, and four starts in centerfield.
Stats:
Second base – 3GS / 28.2INN / 16TC / 4PO / 12A / 0E / 1DP / 1.000 FPCT%
Short Stop – 3GS / 29INN / 15TC / 8PO / 5A / 2E / 1DP / .867 FPCT%
Centerfield – 4GS / 34INN / 12TC / 12PO / 0A / 0E / 0DP / 1.000 FPCT%
Hyeseong Kim has proven to be an above average utility player. His speed and ball tracking in the outfield has shown he has the ability to perform at high level in that position. The only flaw is his arm strength and the fact that he throws flat footed. Once he gets his throwing mechanics down, he has the possibility of being an above average centerfielder. It is very clear his most comfortable position is second base. His ability to get to a ball in the gap, set his feet, and make a solid throw to get the out is effortless. He has all those same traits at the short stop position, but he has had two throwing errors and seems to rush his throw in that position.
The question, is Hyeseong Kim ready to be moved up? I would say based on his abilities in the field yes, he can play in the majors. In my opinion, he is now looking comfortable with his time at the plate and you can see his confidence is growing. I would say he should be highly considered to be moved sometime in May if some players are still struggling.
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