The Los Angeles Dodgers have a difficult decision ahead of them, as one of Hyeseong Kim or Alex Freeland will have to make the trip to Triple-A Oklahoma City whenever it is All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts makes his return.
Kim and Freeland had a similar position battle during spring training, which Freeland ultimately won to secure his spot on LA’s Opening Day roster. He had a good first game, hitting two extra base hits, though hasn’t exactly delivered on offense since.
For that reason, The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya believes Kim would be the answer if the Dodgers were constructing their roster for the rest of the season today. That being said, he also sees the merit in keeping Freeland around.
“If I were constructing a postseason roster on April 22, Kim would likely be a better fit,” Ardaya wrote. “But I would also understand the argument that Kim would be better served than Freeland to see everyday at-bats in the minors.
“Whoever wins that ‘battle’ likely gets to hold on until either Kiké Hernández or Tommy Edman returns.”
As for when the decision will come, the duo still have plenty of time to make a case for themselves. Betts has only just begun swinging after pulling his oblique, and is still yet to go on a rehab assignment.
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Alex Freeland (76) catches a fly ball in shallow right field during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn ImagesHow Are Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland Performing?
Freeland has played in six more games than Kim this season, but the latter is outperforming the young infielder by a wide margin.
Kim has a .333/.441/.519 slash line through his 13 games this season for a .960 OPS—far superior to Freeland’s lackluster mark of .559. Kim also has the same number of extra base hits (3) as Freeland.
Freeland’s ability to work the count and draw walks served as one of the main deciding factors in choosing him over Kim during spring training, but Kim has also outperformed him there. Kim’s six narrowly beat out Freeland’s five, Kim’s strikeout percentage is also superior.
Kim currently platoons shortstop with veteran Miguel Rojas, a right-handed hitter, while the switch-hitting Freeland mans second, but upon Betts’ return, they could very well just shift the platoon to the other side of the infield while sending Freeland to Triple-A if these results persist.
Do you think Hyeseong Kim should keep the spot once Mookie Betts makes his return from injury?
LA Baseball Report
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