Kim Hye-sung, aiming for a promotion to Major League Baseball, added another double in Triple-A of the Minor League. Coincidentally, foreign players who played together in the KBO League last year participated in the game, unintentionally holding a 'KBO reunion' in the U.S.

Kim Hye-sung, part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Minor League Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, started as the sixth center fielder in a home game against the El Paso Chihuahuas (affiliated with the San Diego Padres) on July 2 (Korean time). He recorded 1 hit and 1 run in 4 at-bats.

Kim Hye-sung faced his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning with two outs and the bases loaded at a score of 0-0. However, he could not capitalize on the opportunity, striking out swinging on a 91.2 mph (146 km/h) four-seam fastball on the fourth pitch against Wes Benjamin, who was with the KBO League's KT Wiz until last year, in a 1B-2S disadvantageous count. Last year with the Kiwoom Heroes, he also struggled against Benjamin, recording 1 hit in 9 at-bats with a batting average of .111.

Kim Hye-sung retired again in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs and no runners on, still with a score of 0-0, striking out swinging. He faced Raul Brito and swung and missed on the third pitch, a 94.1 mph (151 km/h) high fastball after a strike and a foul.

The third at-bat was different. In the bottom of the sixth inning, leading 3-1 with one out and no runners on, he attacked a 90.5 mph (145 km/h) sinker that the new left-handed pitcher Tom Cosgrove threw right down the middle, hitting a large double to the left. The exit velocity was measured at 93.2 mph (150 km/h) and the distance was 331 feet (100 meters). He later scored after rounding third on a right-field hit by Hunter Feduccia.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, leading 4-1 with two outs and one runner on first base, Kim Hye-sung ended his at-bat with a ground ball to first base. His Triple-A season batting average is .215 with a slugging percentage of .500. The game ended with Oklahoma City winning 4-1.

Meanwhile, a familiar face welcomed Kim Hye-sung in the El Paso lineup. Jonathan Ferreira, who played for the Hanwha Eagles last year, started as the designated hitter, recording 1 hit and 2 strikeouts in 4 at-bats.

A unique scene unfolded at U.S. minor league stadiums, with three players from last year’s KBO League taking the field.

[OSEN]