Dodgers' Hyesung Kim to Start in Minor Leagues for Second Consecutive Year

by Roh Woolae

Published 23 Mar.2026 07:33(KST)

Dodgers Announce Hyesung Kim to Start Season in Triple-A
Sent to Minors Despite Batting .407 in Exhibition Games
Swing Issues Cited, Freeland Likely to Make Roster

Hyesung Kim (Los Angeles Dodgers) will start the season in the minor leagues for the second consecutive year.

On March 22 (local time), the Dodgers announced, "Hyesung Kim will be sent to the Triple-A team, the Oklahoma City Comets." After making his debut in the United States in the 2025 season, Kim is once again likely to begin the regular season with the Triple-A team this year. The Dodgers' official website interpreted this move as making it more likely that Alex Freeland, who had been competing with Kim for the starting second baseman position, will be included on the Opening Day roster.

Dodgers' Kim Hyesung will start the season in the Minor Leagues for the second consecutive year. AP Yonhap News

This year, Kim appeared in nine exhibition games, recording a batting average of .407 (11 hits in 27 at-bats), with 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases, demonstrating strong performance. However, he was not included in the 26-man Major League Baseball (MLB) Opening Day roster.

Kim's competitor, Freeland, posted a batting average of .116 (5 hits in 43 at-bats), with 1 home run and 7 RBIs over 18 exhibition games this year. Kim's OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) was .967, while Freeland's was .519, highlighting a significant difference. The Dodgers' official website analyzed that this decision was made because the team believes there are still aspects of Kim's swing that need to be adjusted. Kim struck out eight times in 27 at-bats during the exhibition games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented during last week's exhibition games, "There are valid reasons for choosing either Freeland or Kim. Kim hasn't played many games yet, and while Freeland's numbers are not impressive, he has performed well at the plate."