yardbarker
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers set their roster for the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, and the most notable exclusion was speedster Hyeseong Kim. The 27-year-old South Korean infielder, who had been part of the Division Series roster as a defensive specialist and pinch-running option, was omitted from the 26-man squad for the best-of-seven clash.
To fill his spot, the Dodgers added left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski, resulting in an even distribution of 13 pitchers and 13 position players. This marked a shift from the previous series against the Atlanta Braves, where the team carried only 12 pitchers.
Kim's journey this season was inconsistent. Over 43 games in the first two months, he batted .259 with one home run, 11 RBIs, and five stolen bases, compiling a .651 OPS. Those numbers weren't sufficient to secure a lasting major-league role, leading to his optioning to Triple-A Oklahoma City in late May, where he remained for the rest of the summer.
Although the Dodgers recalled him for the postseason, his sole appearance in the Division Series was as a late defensive replacement at second base in Game 4, partly due to Miguel Rojas's lower-back discomfort. Rojas recovered enough to be included on the Championship Series roster, eliminating the immediate need for Kim's defensive skills.
Key Analysis
The decision also mirrored a wider roster strategy. Manager Dave Roberts and the front office emphasized additional pitching depth for a longer series against a Brewers team that won 103 games. Wrobleski, a first-time All-Star this year, provides multi-inning relief capability after posting a 3.66 ERA over 140 innings in the regular season, despite a uneven second half.
Keeping top prospect Josue De Paula as a left-handed bat off the bench further crowded the position-player group, making Kim the odd man out once Rojas was cleared. For Kim, this marks a quiet conclusion to a season that started with limited playing time and never gained momentum. A versatile defender capable of playing the middle infield and outfield, he displayed flashes of value with his speed—having been caught only twice in 20 career steal attempts—but never solidified himself as more than a complementary player.
The Dodgers, fresh off a World Series title and boasting a deep, expensive core featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, simply had no room for him as the series lengthened and pitching needs increased. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday night at American Family Field, with left-hander Tarik Skubal expected to start for Los Angeles.
Whether Kim's absence becomes noticeable will hinge on how the games unfold, especially if late-inning defensive situations or pinch-running opportunities arise. For now, the Dodgers have opted for additional bullpen innings over an extra set of legs on the bases.
Originally reported by yardbarker.