The path toward entering Major League Baseball is incredibly tough. With the few opportunities given, players must somehow achieve results, but Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers) could not impress manager Dave Roberts on this day.

Kim Hye-seong replaced in the spring training game against the Chicago White Sox on Feb. 9 (Korean time) at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, and recorded 1 Samjin.

Starting the game on the bench, Kim Hye-seong entered the field as a defensive shortstop in the bottom of the 7th inning while the Dodgers were trailing 2-5.

Still trailing 2-5, Kim Hye-seong faced his first at-bat as the leadoff in the top of the 8th inning. On the mound was 23-year-old rookie Grant Taylor, whose entire career consists of minor league experience, and Kim Hye-seong swung and missed at the second pitch curve after a ball on the first pitch, then watched a third pitch cutter that clipped the high strike zone outside. In a disadvantageous situation of 1B-2S, Kim Hye-seong was struck out swinging on a fourth pitch curve that dropped sharply at 85.9 mph (138 km/h).

Kim Hye-seong's at-bat did not return, and his spring training batting average dropped from .167 to .160.

Kim Hye-seong dramatically achieved his dream of becoming a Major Leaguer by signing with the Dodgers just about 3 hours before the posting deadline on Jan. 4 (7 a.m.). The terms included a maximum of $22 million (approximately 32.3 billion won) over 3+2 years, guaranteeing a total of $12.5 million (approximately 18.4 billion won) for the 3 years, with team options for the 2028 and 2029 seasons.

When the Dodgers traded starting second baseman Gavin Lux, a smooth competition for Kim Hye-seong was anticipated. However, after the start of spring training, with weaknesses shown in hitting, his position gradually shrank, and he eventually made the decision to change his batting form. He did hit a home run against the San Francisco Giants on Feb. 2, but has been unable to maintain impactful performances, keeping his spring training batting average in the .100s.

Meanwhile, the game ended with the Dodgers losing 2-5. Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow left after 3 innings with 1 earned run, while the third pitcher Anthony Banda endured 4 hits and 3 earned runs in ⅔ inning, resulting in a loss.

Shohei Ohtani, who led off, finished with 2 at-bats, no hits, 1 walk, and 2 Samjin.

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