*This content was translated by AI.
LA Dodgers' all-round utility player Kim Hye-sung (27) proved his value by running a home run in the final exhibition game ahead of joining the Korean baseball team. Before leaving for the national team, he appealed to the Dodgers' main second baseman.
Kim Hye-sung started as ninth batter and second baseman in an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona on the 27th (Korea time) and hit a home run over the right fence in his third at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning. He drew his first arch in his fourth exhibition game.
Kim Hye-sung's bat fired in his third at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning. He hit the opposing pitcher's first pitch fastball as it was and crossed the right fence. It was the first home run in four exhibition games since the game against the Angels on the 22nd.
Kim Hye-sung's early flow of the game was somewhat frustrating. Kim Hye-sung, who swallowed the disappointment by stepping down with a ground ball to the first base in his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning, struck out in his second at-bat in the bottom of the fourth inning with his bat spinning on the opponent's ball.
But the third at-bat was different. As soon as the team needed it, Kim Hye-sung's bat turned fiercely. Kim Hye-sung, who came out in the bottom of the sixth inning with no outs thanks to the previous batter Keston Hiura's tiebreaking home run, faced opponent right-hander Tyson Miller. With two balls and two strikes, he hit the fifth pitch (80.3 miles sweeper), and the ball flew well over the right fence.
Kim Hae-sung, who made a strong impression with two hits and two steals in three at-bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the previous day (26th), showed off his perfect balance of offense and defense by even showing a home run. In particular, he seems to be ahead of the main second baseman competition in place of Tommy Edman, who is injured.
Kim Hye-sung, who had one home run in three at-bats, had a batting average of 0.462 in the exhibition game. It fell slightly from 0.500. OPS (On-base plus slugging) recorded a high value of 1.154. At the beginning of the seventh inning, Kim Hye-sung was replaced by Eliza Hae-line and left the game.
Now Kim Hye-sung is heading to Japan to wear the 'Taegeuk mark'. The home run is even more meaningful because it was hit in a game just before Kim Hye-sung moved to Japan to join the "2026 WBC" national team. With the addition of Kim Hye-sung, who proved his best condition in the exhibition game, the operation of the national team's infield is also expected to gain great momentum.
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*This content was translated by AI.
