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Hyeseong Kim's 2026 campaign fell short of expectations. By May, he had lost his backup infielder role to Santiago Espinal and never regained it. The Dodgers optioned Kim to Triple-A Oklahoma City after he slashed .259/.323/.328 in 43 games. Among all Dodgers with at least 100 plate appearances this season, Kim's .651 OPS was the lowest.
Kim remained on the Dodgers' roster for the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, but his only action came as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning of Game 4. Before the NLDS, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hinted at what that limited role would entail.
"I think for us on this roster specifically, just his positional versatility and his foot speed," Friedman said. "We have a lot of team strengths, in my mind. Foot speed is not one of them. So there can be opportunities late in games to utilize that in a way to help us score a run."
Kim already runs and fields at no worse than a league-average level. For him to hit well enough for the Dodgers to carry his bat on their postseason roster, he must first learn to hit Triple-A pitching. In 85 games with the Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers' top farm team, Kim reached base at a .330 clip. In the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, only two teams finished with a lower OBP than Kim. And only two qualified players finished with a lower slugging percentage than Kim (.345).
Kim doesn't need to hit home runs to maximize his talent; he simply needs to put the ball in play. A 24.9% strikeout rate against Triple-A pitching might be acceptable for a slugger, but for Kim, it was abysmal.
"As far as his development, we think really highly of the player," Friedman said. "The swing got a little off this year, and we look forward to getting through this, hopefully winning 11 games this month, and then working over the offseason because we really believe in the ability."
In January 2025, the Dodgers signed Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract with team options for 2028 and 2029. The 27-year-old arrived from Korea with little assurance of playing time but appeared in 71 games as a rookie. Largely due to his glove, Kim accumulated 1.7 bWAR in 71 games—nearly a 4-win pace over a full season. If his bat ever develops, Kim could become a real asset. For now, the Dodgers will take what they can get from his legs.
Key Analysis
Kim's value to the Dodgers remains tied to his defense and speed, as Friedman's comments suggest. With a crowded infield and offensive limitations, Kim's path to regular at-bats hinges on improving his hitting in the minors. His contract and youth offer hope, but the clock is ticking for him to prove he can contribute with the bat.