"The 27-year-old started the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and played himself into a call-up with the Dodgers following Mookie Betts' right oblique strain. Kim has proved to be a quality player in 2026, batting .308/.370/.400 with four extra base-hits and eight RBI in 65 plate appearances."
"While he has produced good results at the plate, it has been Kim's work with the glove that has captured the attention of infield and first base coach Chris Woodward. Woodward told Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic just how high a ceiling Kim has as a defender by comparing him to Andrelton Simmons."
""The talent he has, the work ethic, all the things combined, I've never seen a package quite like that," Woodward said. "I think Simmons at his peak was probably similar. The arm strength, the quickness, he might have been the best I've ever seen. "But Kim's work ethic is off the charts. I have to tell him to stop. He wants to go, go, go. The speed, the arm strength, there are certain things he does that I can't teach, mechanically. His hips are so mobile. He can be completely across his body and still throw a ball 100 mph across the field. And you're like, 'That doesn't make any sense.'""
"Kim's pure athleticism was the most prominent tool on his scouting report at the time the Dodgers signed him in 2025. He has made great strides to harness his athletic gifts to become an above average defender this season. The second-year player is in the 77th percentile and 79th percentile for fielding run value and outs above average, respectively. Kim also has two defensive runs saved filling in for Betts at shortstop."
Hyeseong Kim began the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and earned a Major League call-up after Mookie Betts suffered a right oblique strain. Kim produced at the plate, batting .308/.370/.400 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI across 65 plate appearances. Coaches have focused on his defense, especially his work at infield and first base. Chris Woodward praised Kim’s ceiling, comparing his peak potential to Andrelton Simmons and highlighting arm strength, quickness, and exceptional hip mobility. Kim has improved from raw athleticism into an above-average defender, posting strong fielding run value and outs above average percentiles and recording two defensive runs saved while filling in at shortstop.
Read at Dodger Blue
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