Cody Snavely
If there is one weakness to this Los Angeles Dodgers super team, you could point to second base, which positionally is arguably the “weakest” link. However, over the winter, the Dodgers drastically changed course, moving away from former top prospect Gavin Lux and shipping him to Cincinnati.
With Lux’s departure, recently signed utility infielder Hyeseong Kim is set to take his place along with some other familiar faces throughout the Dodgers roster, as the position will once again be platooned.
What Will the Transition from KBO to MLB Entail for Hyeseong Kim?
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ replacement for Gavin Lux on the roster seems to be utility Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim. The Dodgers inked a 3-year, $12.5 million deal with options that could extend it to a 5-year, $22 million deal.
Kim’s time in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) was elite, especially in his final two seasons, during which the left-handed slap hitter posted a .800 OPS. Kim is coming off arguably one of the best seasons of his career, in which he hit .326/.383/.458 over 567 plate appearances. Over his eight years in the KBO, Kim hit .304/.364/.403 with 150 doubles, thirty-nine triples, thirty-seven home runs, 386 RBI, 591 runs, and 211 stolen bases.
Kim, 26, is primarily a second baseman but has also logged a decent amount of games at shortstop, third base, and both corner outfield spots, a true utilityman. Just recently, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also stated that Kim would see time in center field, but the primary spot still seems to be second base.
An above-average defender, Kim will give the Dodgers’ defense some much-needed stability, especially while all-star Mookie Betts transitions to shortstop. But the biggest question with Kim is how his offense will translate to Major League pitching.
Historically, Korean players who make the jump to Major League Baseball struggle in their first season, and with Kim’s career OPS in the mid-.700 range, what will the dip be? So far this spring, Kim is 1-for-6 with two strikeouts and two walks, and his lone hit is an infield single.
Time will tell how Kim plays in Major League Baseball, and while the Korean infielder does have the ability to be sent to the minors, I would expect him to make both the Tokyo, Japan, 31-man roster and the 26-man domestic Opening Day roster.
For the upcoming 2025 regular season, FanGraphs has Kim projected to be a slightly below-league-average hitter with a .279/.324/.374 slash line, .699 OPS, and a 97 wRC+, which is serviceable for the Dodgers’ projected nine-hole hitter.
Other Options
With Hyeseong Kim set to play multiple positions around the diamond this summer for the Dodgers second base will be a revolving door of players.
The first option that comes to mind is utilityman Tommy Edman, who is slated to get the most playing time on center field. Edman, 29, is a switch hitter, Gold Glove Award winner second baseman and would get playing time at second base if the Dodgers are facing a lefty. Edman has a career wRC+ of 124 versus Southpaws and would split time with Hyeseong Kim, who is a left-handed batter.
Another option is veteran Miguel Rojas, who will split time between second base, shortstop, and third base this season. Rojas, 36, has been the Dodgers’ go-to shortstop due to injuries to Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux the past two seasons. But with Mookie making the full transition to shortstop, the Dodgers will have to find other avenues to play Rojas.
Rojas, despite his age, had an impressive season last year, hitting .283/.337/.410, along with a .748 OPS, 111 wRC+, twenty-one doubles, six home runs, thirty-six RBIs, and 2.8 fWAR. However, Rojas is known more for the glove than the bat, which is highlighted by his .993 f% at shortstop last season and 97th ranking in OAA (Outs Above Average).
The last two options would involve veteran utilitymen Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández, each on one-year deals this season, combined.
Taylor, 34, has played all over the baseball diamond since joining the Dodgers, but father time has crept up on the once above-average defender. Offensively, Taylor must improve, as in 2024, he had his worst season, hitting .202/.298/.300 with a 74 wRC+.
Hernández, like Taylor, will play all over the field but primarily center field, third base, and potentially first base, as we have seen this spring training if Freddie Freeman has to miss extended time.
Overall, the Dodgers’ second base platoon can be elite with multiple Gold Glove-caliber fielders, but the team’s biggest question will be its offensive output.
DodgersBeat Grade C+
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