Dodgers Finalize Opening Day Roster
The Dodgers have made a decision regarding their opening day roster, and it’s created a bit of buzz.
On Sunday morning, the team revealed that infielder Hyesung Kim will be sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City, paving the way for Alex Freeland to join the major league team as it kicks off the season.
With this move, the Dodgers’ lineup is starting to take shape. It seems Freeland will be positioned at second base next to Miguel Rojas while Tommy Edman continues to recover from ankle surgery he had in the offseason.
This spring, Freeland and Kim were both vying for the second base role, each bringing their own strengths to the table. Freeland, particularly, was seen as a left-handed hitting option to complement Rojas.
Initially, Kim had an edge during training camp. His performance was bolstered by Freeland’s difficulties in the Cactus League, where he recorded a mere .116 batting average. Additionally, Kim’s speed and versatility, especially in outfield positions, made him a stronger candidate early in the spring.
However, while playing for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, Kim’s hitting faltered. He only achieved one hit in twelve at-bats, with six strikeouts against relatively less experienced pitchers. When he returned to the Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts noted that Kim’s swing seemed “out of sync” compared to where it had been earlier in spring training.
In contrast, Freeland demonstrated impressive growth, particularly in understanding pitch selection. He attracted as many walks as he struck out—11 each—during the Cactus League. Plus, he hit a home run in the last game of the league, finishing with a positive note.
“I thought he had a solid at-bat,” Roberts commented about Freeland, who had struggled last year with a .190 average in 29 major league games. “Sure, if you look at the statistics, the surface numbers don’t appear strong. But keep in mind, we’re still in spring training.”
This recent decision seems to reflect the Dodgers’ strategy to allow Kim some time to improve, as regular playing time in Triple-A will likely benefit his development, especially since he wouldn’t have secured that role in the majors at this point.
After signing a three-year, $12.5 million deal last offseason, Kim started off well, hitting .383 in his first 37 games. But pitchers soon figured out how to exploit weaknesses in his swing, particularly his struggle to adjust to pitches below the zone, leading to a significant drop to a .175 average in the latter half of the season.
Despite a .407 average in nine Cactus League appearances this spring, Kim still exhibited traits that had previously hindered him; he struck out eight times while managing only one walk.
