Kim Hye-sung, who deleted a hit with '168km-expected batting average .760', explodes the shortstop's potential
Kim Hye-sung, who deleted a hit with '168km-expected batting average .760', explodes the shortstop's potential
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LA Dodgers' Kim Hye-sung (26) proved his competitiveness by showing good defense as shortstop.메이저사이트
Kim Hye-sung started the game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 3rd (Korea time) as the 9th shortstop and recorded 2 hits and 1 stolen base in 4 at-bats. Kim Hye-sung, who has played well in the offense and defense, has a batting average of 420 (21 hits in 50 at-bats) in 23 games this season, with two home runs, seven RBIs, 13 runs and five steals, with an OPS of 1.033.
Kim Hye-sung, who is playing various positions including second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder for the Dodgers this season, played the most as a second baseman. He played 78 innings in 15 games. He then played in five games (29 innings) as a center fielder. Shortstop also played the same five games as center fielder, but had far fewer defensive innings than 19 innings. Shortstop position is the most burdensome for defense, and Mookie Betts is the main shortstop.
However, Betts was briefly out of power when he suffered an absurd injury that hit his foot on the furniture and fractured his toe while going to the bathroom on the night of the 31st of last month, and Kim Hye-sung took the opportunity. And he showed impressive plays in defense both against the Yankees and in the game on the 1st.
Kim Hye-sung started as the ninth shortstop in the game on the 1st. Kim Hye-sung, who caught Horbitt Vivas' hit with a straight hit in the top of the third inning with no outs and runners on the first and second bases, made a double play as second baseman Austin Wells flew to second base. The initial decision was safe, but the decision was reversed by video review. In this game, he recorded four hits in four at-bats, one home run, two RBIs, three runs and one walk, showing his best performance in batting.
Kim Hye-sung, who was excluded from the starting lineup on the 2nd and had no hit in one at-bats as a pinch hitter, returned to the starting lineup against the Mets on the 3rd. He also showed good defense as a starting shortstop in the game. With two outs in the top of the first inning, he caught Pete Alonso's sharp hit with a straight line. According to Baseball Servant, the official statistics website of the Major League, the batting speed was 104.4 miles (168.0 kilometers) and the expected hitting rate reached 706 percent, but Kim Hye-sung succeeded in catching the ball as if he had snatched it with fast movement and concentration.
Kim Hye-sung gained experience as a shortstop while playing for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League. He won the Shortstop Golden Glove in 2021, but posted a league-high 29 errors. Kiwoom then changed Kim's position to second base, which allowed him to grow into one of the league's best infielders.
Dodgers also sees Kim's main position as second baseman. However, Dodgers highly value Kim's potential as shortstop and center fielder, and is constantly giving him opportunities and conducting tests. Unfamiliar center field positions often cause disappointing plays, but shortstop position often sees Kim's potential stand out.
The Dodgers, which want to raise Kim Hye-sung as a super utility in the future, are satisfied with Kim Hye-sung's recent performance. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Kim Hye-sung in an interview with game broadcasters on the 1st, saying, "Kim Hye-sung is a player with strong basic skills, fast, and good defense. Above all, he is a really strong and persistent player."
Fans are excited about what amazing performance Kim Hye-sung, who is performing better than expected, will show in the rest of the season.