The Los Angeles Dodgers have been highly regarded for their offense all season, but as October is seemingly right around the corner, defense has been a hot topic of conversation.
Specifically, the production out of left field could be more desireable. The Dodgers are no strangers to miscues all over the outfield this season, but with Michael Conforto’s lack of consistency, there are a few options as to what LA can do down the stretch.
One of which, would be moving the only person to receive a Gold Glove award at both shortstop and second base in Korea Baseball Organization history to the outfield.
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When the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim this offseason, there were no guarantees he would even be in the majors in 2025. His four Gold Gloves, 211 stolen bases, and .304 batting average across eight seasons overseas were enticing enough to bring him to the organization on a three-year, $12.5 million deal, starting off this season in Triple-A.
After batting exactly .304 in his 58 appearances in the big leagues since his debut, and eyeing a return from the injured list, manager Dave Roberts seemed to hint at Kim addressing the problem in left field.
“Obviously we know Hyeseong can play second base,” Roberts said. “We know he can play shortstop. So just seeing him out in left field, I think that it just potentially gives us a little bit more options.”
Kim has logged 44 appearances in left field in Korea, and most recently played there on his rehab assignment in Triple-A. There is a very real possibility that Kim is the solution.
Another option is moving utility star Tommy Edman to center field when he is set to return in September, swap Teoscar Hernández to left field, and move Andy Pages to right field. This upgrades right field defensively and left field offensively, and doesn’t switch around anyone from their infield spots.
When Kiké Hernández makes his imminent return from the injured list, he, too, can be an option to place in left. Regardless, Roberts made it clear that the problem needs to be solved quickly.
“I think that whoever we get out there, we need production. It’s very important.”
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Photo Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
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