The Los Angeles Dodgers are adding one of their top offseason signings, calling up infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City for Saturday’s matchup with the Atlanta Braves.
Kim, 26, signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers after playing the past eight seasons in the KBO with the Kiwoom Heroes. During his KBO career, Kim hit .304/.364/.403 with 39 doubles, 37 home runs, 386 RBI and 211 stolen bases in 953 games.
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In 28 games at Triple-A, the left-handed Kim batted .252 with a .798 OPS, eight doubles, five homers, 19 RBI and 13 steals over 131 plate appearances. He also struck out 32 times, continuing a concern that the Dodgers had when they assigned him to the minors at the end of spring training.
During Cactus League play, Kim compiled a .207/.303/.310 slash average with 11 strikeouts in 29 at-bats.
Since joining the Dodgers, the team has worked on overhauling Kim’s swing to help him adjust to the higher velocities from major league pitching. The big change was reducing his high leg kick and adapting his timing mechanisms accordingly.
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“The foundations, the actual swing mechanics needed to improve,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters, via the Los Angeles Times.
The Dodgers officially announced Kim’s call-up on Saturday afternoon. He will take the spot of Tommy Edman, who went on the 10-day IL with right ankle inflammation. Edman, who joined the Dodgers last year at the MLB trade deadline, signed a five-year, $74 million deal during the offseason. He’s been having one of his best offensive seasons, posting an .818 OPS with eight homers and 24 RBI.
Kim will likely fill in at shortstop and second base for the Dodgers, but he has also played center field in Triple-A. That versatility should provide manager Dave Roberts with multiple opportunities to plug Kim in throughout the lineup, giving him consistent playing time.
However, Kim was not in Saturday’s starting lineup with Chris Taylor getting the nod at second base.
