Kim Hye-sung, who was cut from the LA Dodgers' opening roster at 26, felt the fierce competition within the team from the start. David Purtie, who had a .400 batting average in spring training, was also demoted to the minor camp, illustrating the depth of the Dodgers' roster.
The Dodgers announced roster changes after the game on the 12th (Korean time), with a total of seven players moving to the minor leagues.
Among the 40-man roster, infielder Kim Hye-sung and pitcher Bobby Miller were sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City with minor options. Pitchers Giovanni Gayegos and Dalton Rushing, infielders David Purtie and Michael Chavis, and outfielder Eddie Rosario, who participated in the spring training as invitees, were also reassigned to minor camp.
The U.S. 'LA Times' noted, 'The Dodgers sent seven players to minor league camp. Among them, the most notable were Miller, who was expected to compete for the fifth starter spot, and Kim Hye-sung, who was projected to compete for the starting second baseman role. Miller did not play after taking a hard-hit ball in his first outing. Kim Hye-sung played in 15 games but struggled with a batting average of .270, with 11 strikeouts from 29 at-bats. Only four players had more at-bats than Kim Hye-sung, who played multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, and center field.'
This suggests that while sufficient opportunities were given to Kim Hye-sung, he could not demonstrate competitiveness in hitting. Although he only started in five of the 15 games, he ranked fifth in total at-bats on the team, indicating that opportunities were ample. However, his performance, with a .270 batting average (6 hits in 29 at-bats), 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 6 runs, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts, 2 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .303, a slugging percentage of .310, and an OPS of .613, leaves much to be desired.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Kim Hye-sung will start the season in Triple-A Oklahoma City, saying, 'He will remain in Arizona to continue hitting. He has performed really well in the last four games. He looks much more comfortable at the plate. His defense is also quite good, and I was happy to see him play in center field. He is a really good player and is doing well, but it is essential for him to prepare offensively for the season while staying here.'
Based on his record, there are players who find it harder to accept a minor league assignment than Kim Hye-sung. Purtie, who joined on a minor league contract as an invitee, had a batting average of .400 (12 hits in 30 at-bats) over 14 games, with 2 home runs, 9 RBIs, 7 runs, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, an on-base percentage of .471, a slugging percentage of .700, and an OPS of 1.171, showcasing a spectacular performance. Despite such impressive statistics, he failed to make the opening day roster heading to Tokyo.
Primarily a third baseman, Purtie also covered first and second base during this spring training. However, the Dodgers have starting third baseman Max Muncy and first baseman Freddie Freeman, along with four utility players (Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor) who can fill these positions, negating the need to force Purtie into the lineup.
This illustrates that the Dodgers have a deep pool of players without regard to positions, resulting in intense internal competition. It is challenging to stand out with average statistics. Major League status must also be guaranteed, and performance must match that. Kim Hye-sung is included in the 40-man roster but fell short in performance, while Purtie had good statistics but faced limitations as a non-roster player.
Purtie has an opt-out clause that allows him to transfer to another team if he does not make the opening roster. Given the surge in his hitting performance under the Dodgers' hitting coaching staff in a short time, there is likely to be demand from teams lacking infielders. This alone makes it worthwhile for Purtie to have come to the Dodgers.
On the other hand, Kim Hye-sung, who is under a three-year guaranteed contract worth $12.5 million, cannot leave the Dodgers by his own will. He will have to endure fierce competition within the Dodgers for the next three years. Kim Hye-sung, who chose the 'championship team' Dodgers, rejecting other teams' offers, must have anticipated this level of competition.
While a thorny road lies ahead for now, he must see it as an opportunity to become stronger. He has earned time to adapt to a new hitting style in Triple-A, and during this time, he must fully make it his own. When the time for a Major League call-up comes, he must be in a condition that is fully prepared to compete. The Dodgers are viewing Kim Hye-sung as a future alternative after next year, equipping him to play multiple positions, as the contracts of utility players in their mid-30s, such as Hernández, Rojas, and Taylor, expire this year. Thus, adapting in Triple-A, where he has guaranteed opportunities to play shortstop and center field, could ultimately be more beneficial for Kim Hye-sung.
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