Kim Hye-sung has been quite reflective about his recent experiences.
“I can’t say I’m disappointed,” the Dodgers infielder remarked earlier this week through his translator, Dean Kim.
But, he did share in an interview that, “I was a little depressed.” This sentiment came after the Dodgers informed him about his demotion to Triple-A for the second consecutive year, which happened four weeks ago.
This decision was somewhat unexpected; the Dodgers had chosen prospect Alex Freeland for a role at second base over Kim, who had signed for $12.5 million from South Korea.
Throughout the spring training, Kim had been vocal about his desire to make the opening roster, feeling positive about his improved swing during the offseason.
However, the arrival of the World Baseball Classic changed things, leading him to revert to some of his old batting habits from his time with the Korean national team.
Discussions with Dodgers coaches and management soon followed, resulting in Kim heading to Triple-A Oklahoma City for more consistent at-bats to continue adjusting his swing.
“Obviously, it’s everyone’s dream to play in the major leagues,” he said, noting that his demotion was significant news for Korean baseball fans. He even offered an apology during an interview after landing in OKC at the start of the year.
Nevertheless, he emphasized feeling more motivated than disappointed upon hearing the news.
“When I had meetings with the front office and coaches, I knew exactly what I needed to work on,” he explained. “I felt like we needed to focus more on those issues.”
That attitude has endeared Kim to the Dodgers, even though transitioning to the big leagues has been more challenging than anticipated. He quickly showed improvement upon returning to Triple-A, getting 9 hits in 26 at-bats while reducing his strikeouts. This led to his eventual call-up to the majors when Mookie Betts faced an oblique strain early in the season.
Now, at age 27, Kim is not just back on the MLB roster; he’s contributing regularly to a Dodgers team that’s having a notable start to the season.
Manager Dave Roberts commented, “When he plays, he always helps the team win. I’m glad he’s on this path.”
In fact, since being recalled, Kim has made his presence felt, going 5-for-18 in Friday’s start, including a home run, two extra-base hits, and four walks, plus some impressive defensive plays that are already turning heads.
However, it hasn’t been flawless. He has eight strikeouts over eight games and isn’t playing as much against left-handed pitchers. He also had a notable misstep in one of his at-bats, which drew attention.
Nonetheless, there’s hope that Betts’ return from injury will present another challenging roster decision, and Kim wants to make a significant impact moving forward.
“I’m just happy to play at the major league level. It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I want to stay here, so I’m trying to show that through my actions and how I approach each day.”
His highlight moment came on Wednesday, hitting a two-run home run against former All-Star pitcher Clay Holmes, helping the Dodgers secure a win over the Mets. This swing represented the kind of performance the Dodgers had envisioned during his two-year adjustment period.
Roberts praised Kim’s swing, noting that it seems better than when he returned after a rough showing at the World Baseball Classic. “He looks great. I’m really proud of the work he’s put in,” Roberts said.
In true fashion, Kim remained humble about his success, pointing out that even with good moments, he still struck out three times in that game.
This journey reflects Kim’s ongoing growth process, and although he admits he’s still a work in progress, he’s finding ways to contribute.
“I’m definitely making some progress, though it’s slow at times. I don’t think I’m completely there yet, so I’ll keep working hard and adjusting as the season goes on,” he said, expressing his hope to spend the remainder of the season in the majors.
