PHOENIX – Hyesung Kim is making strides this spring.
He’s focused on both his swing and his chances of making the Dodgers roster.
The 27-year-old from Korea didn’t have the rookie season he wished for last year. His challenges, though, weren’t entirely surprising.
Having enjoyed considerable success in the KBO, Kim faced difficulties adapting to MLB pitching after joining the league last winter with a three-year, $12.5 million contract. Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates remarked that his swing was “too twisted,” and his struggles with breaking balls made him a target for stronger pitchers.
This prompted Dodgers coaches to address his mechanics carefully last season.
First, they aimed to improve Kim’s use of his legs to generate power and stability. They then focused on his torso and back positioning, making adjustments to help him remain square to the ball longer.
Bates explained, “He twisted earlier in his swing and nearly got twisted behind his back. Right now, we’re trying to keep him straighter and longer with how he loads and swings—using the ground first, then raising up.”
So far, the results this spring have been encouraging.
In four Cactus League games, Kim has achieved 6 hits in 13 at-bats, capped by an impressive home run in a recent 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Manager Dave Roberts commented on Kim’s progress, saying, “What we’ve seen from him so far has been amazing.” This level of performance may well push him towards a more significant role as the 2026 season approaches.
Last spring, Kim didn’t make the opening day roster and spent a month in Triple-A. He had a strong debut, hitting .383 in his first 36 games, but his performance declined, and he struggled with a shoulder injury since July, finishing with a batting average of only .175. During the playoffs, his sole contribution was as a pinch runner.
Reflecting on the past year, Kim stated, “I wasn’t satisfied with last year,” and mentioned, “We found some things that we need to work on. I just want to work hard and make sure I’m on the roster right after spring training.”
With one month until this season’s opening day, he appears to be on track to make that happen.
Keen to improve, he spent the tail end of winter in Los Angeles refining his swing with Dodgers coaches and felt about “70% comfortable” by the last season’s end.
Given that Tommy Edman is out at the beginning of the season, Kim is now vying for a utility spot, looking to play second base (possibly as a left-handed partner for Miguel Rojas) and outfield (serving as a backup for center fielder Andy Pages).
Despite not securing a place with a major league club yet, Kim is set to join the South Korean team for the World Baseball Classic, making it a bit tricky for the Dodgers to assess him in the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, he has demonstrated the progress the team hoped for since last year.
Roberts noted, “I think he’s plugged some holes where pitchers used to take advantage of him. The batting staff worked hard on his mechanics to smooth out some issues.”
Prior to the Cactus League season, Kim impressed during live batting practice against the Dodgers’ skilled pitchers, showcasing good form with a reverse home run against Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently.
In Thursday’s notable game, falling behind an 0-2 count didn’t deter him; he adjusted, defended against an inside sweeper, and launched a 384-foot home run.
Bates highlighted, “When you’re driving the ball and making decisions with each swing, that’s a good sign.”
Now, all eyes are on the Dodgers’ final call regarding Kim’s position. They’ll be monitoring his performance in the WBC but won’t offer a detailed evaluation until he returns to continue refining those impactful swing changes.
Roberts concluded, “He’s had a great camp so far. The home run was impressive.”
