Everyone is skeptical. And they are making harsh evaluations. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-sung is facing a cold gaze.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will play their opening series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, on the 18th to 19th. There are about two weeks left. Some media outlets are expecting a team heading to Tokyo as they prepare for the season faster than other clubs. However, Kim Hye-sung's name is not on this list.

MLB.com noted on the 4th (Korean time) that Kim Hye-sung was excluded from the anticipated Tokyo opening series roster. They predicted that Tommy Edman, rather than Kim Hye-sung, would take the position of starting second baseman. Edman was initially considered a resource for starting center field.

MLB.com reported, "During the offseason, the Dodgers acquired Kim Hye-sung and traded Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. After that, it seemed likely that Kim Hye-sung would take up the unstable second base position. However, Manager Dave Roberts has left open the possibility that Kim Hye-sung will start the season in the minor leagues to adapt to the faster speed. This means that Edman is likely to take the second base position."

Kim Hye-sung's name was also not found on the list classified as backups and utility players. He was outperformed by Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, and Chris Taylor. The media added that "Hernández and Taylor are right-handed super utility options who can cover both infield and outfield. Rojas can back up Mookie Betts at shortstop and can also play other infield positions as needed."

It is true that Kim Hye-sung has been sluggish in spring training. His spring training batting average stands at just .118 (2 hits in 17 at-bats). On the 2nd, he hit a first pitch four-seam fastball at 91.6 mph (147.4 km/h) thrown by Tristan Beck over the left-field wall in a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants. The next day, against the Chicago White Sox, he went 0-for-1 with a strikeout, but managed to set the stage for a turnaround.

However, even with the home run, the local gaze is not particularly favorable. Manager Dave Roberts said in an interview with the local media outlet "Orange County Register," "I think Kim Hye-sung is still far from being a complete hitter. Kim Hye-sung is competing hard, but I believe there is still much for him to work on during camp. He needs to make significant progress."

As of the 3rd, the Dodgers announced eight players who were cut from Major League camp, and Kim Hye-sung’s name was not among them. He still has opportunities left. However, it seems that there is a lack of patience for Kim Hye-sung locally. After joining the Dodgers camp, he began changing his batting form. It was not a partial change, but a thorough correction of the mechanics.

Kim Hye-sung made changes to adapt more quickly to the speed and sharp breaking balls of Major League Baseball. He is struggling to adjust. It is still a process, and in an interview with "The Athletic" on the 1st, he stated, "The completeness of my batting form is only about 20-30%." After hitting a home run on the 2nd, he referenced the report from "The Athletic" and explained, "I am better than then. I can see the ball better now. I think I’m about 40% there. I can see the ball better than yesterday, so I’m improving."

It is a fiercely competitive stage that must be measured by results. Manager Roberts explained, "I think the difference between good hitters who survive in Major League Baseball and those who do not lies in their approach. The ability to hit in two-strike counts and to create balls in play, in my opinion, is more beneficial when selecting hitting zones." He emphasized, "I believe performance is important. It carries more weight. I still evaluate daily, but I don't pay attention to the numbers during spring camp." However, for Kim Hye-sung, who has yet to show anything on the Major League stage, good results during spring camp are necessary.

However, it has not been even a month since the team took the initiative to change his batting form. There is particularly a harsh standard and gaze towards Kim Hye-sung. He does not have much time left to create a turnaround.

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