Cody Snavely
GLENDALE, AZ — Prior to today’s Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners, where lefty Blake Snell made his highly anticipated Dodgers debut, Dave Roberts gave plenty of updates in his media scrum.
Among those updates were the discussion of newly signed Korean utility infielder Hyeseong Kim‘s role with the team and a possible minor league option, Andy Pages and James Outman‘s battle in center field, Tommy Edman seeing the bulk of work at second base, and Rōki Sasaki’s live at-bat session against some Chicago White Sox minor leaguers.
Roberts Gives Update on Hyeseong Kim’s Role and Possible Minor League Option
One of the more shocking moves of the Los Angeles Dodgers 2025 offseason was the signing of international free agent Hyeseong Kim, who was posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).
Kim, 26, inked a 3-year, $12.5 million deal, with options that could extend it to a 5-year, $22 million deal. In many ways, the move forced the Dodgers to trade away former top prospect Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds, as Kim was primarily a second baseman.
In the weeks leading up to spring training, Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes stated that Kim would play a variety of positions, not just second base. So far this spring, that statement has held true, with Kim logging games at second, short, and most recently, center field.
During his time in the KBO, Kim played all over the diamond, including both corner outfield spots, which explains why the Dodgers had such high interest in his services. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave a surprising update regarding Kim’s status on the roster, hinting that a minor league option is not out of the cards.
Manager Roberts said, “If there’s one part of it, the question mark, I would say, is the bat. The competition is different between Korea and here. We are adjusting his batting. I believe we are helping him adapt and sustain himself here with slight swing adjustments we are working on.”
He added, “He has bet on himself to compete here. Right now, he is in a competition to earn a spot. I would say it is still a work in progress.”
It is too early to mention a move to the minor leagues. Hyeseong Kim has only played in three games so far, and there are still many exhibition games left. Manager Roberts stated, “We don’t need to make a decision right now, obviously. But I would say that if there’s one thing that we still question, it is the bat.”
Another added tidbit to this conversation is that the Dodgers do view Kim as a possible solution in center field. Yesterday, the team also suggested that a move to center field makes sense due to Kim’s speed and raw athleticism.
The idea of a minor league option is something the team could consider, especially if Kim continues to struggle offensively. The KBO star is currently batting .111 this spring, with the lone hit being an infield single.
Unlike many international free agents, Kim’s contract does not block any minor league assignment, so he is eligible to receive the option without being DFA’d.
Andy Pages, Hyeseong Kim & James Outman Competing for Center Field Gig?
Staying on topic with Hyeseong Kim, it seems as though he will be competing for a roster spot in center field with James Outman and Andy Pages.
Heading into camp this spring, many perceived that the Dodgers would roll back former St. Louis Cardinals utilityman Tommy Edman back in center, as they had done for most of the second half of last season.
However, so far, all of Edman’s starts this spring have come at second base, where statistically the best in his career, including winning a Gold Glove there during the 2021 season.
Dave Roberts’s comments yesterday about Kim playing in the center held true, with the Korean utilityman playing a few innings there against the Cincinnati Reds, but the competition with Pages and Outman was highlighted today.
In today’s media scrum, Roberts stated that Kim, Outman, and Pages are all viable center field options. With that trio out there, Edman has done most of his work this spring at second base. However, no decision has been made final just yet.
Suppose the Dodgers do shift plans and allow Edman to play second base. In that case, it will give the team a proven elite defender in their infield, which is highlighted by multiple question marks, such as the Mookie Betts shortstop critics and Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman‘s health.
In the end, it’s just been the first full week of spring training games, and even with the team kicking off the 2025 Major League Baseball regular season before anyone else on March 18th, they have plenty of time to evaluate.
Recap of Sasaki’s Live At-Bat Session
While the Los Angeles Dodgers played their sixth game of the Cactus League in an 11-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners, in the back fields, Roki Sasaki threw a live at-bat session against the Chicago White Sox.
Sasaki, 23, was slated to go two innings today, but the young Japanese right-hander went three, allowing two hits, which were both extra bases, while collecting one strikeout on his signature splitter.
In the first at-bat of the day, Sasaki was ambushed by White Sox prospect Kyle Teel, who took Sasaki deep with a no-doubt home run to right field, which sent shockwaves throughout social media.
However, Sasaki rebounded well after that solo shot, retiring the next six batters in a row with multiple grounders. In Sasaki’s third and final frame of the day, the righty struggled with command, walking two batters and allowing his second hit of the practice before shutting it down.
Overall, Sasaki threw thirty-eight pitches in three innings while generating four swings and misses. Regarding velocity, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Sasaki hovered around the mid-90s, which is where the team expected him to be at this point in the build-up process.
Sasaki is expected to pitch in Tokyo, Japan, when the Dodgers kick off the regular season but has not yet confirmed if it will be in the second game of their two-game series against the Chicago Cubs or one of the exhibition games leading up to the action.
Either way, expect to see more Sasaki soon, potentially in a Cactus League game this upcoming week.
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