'With Realness' Kim Hye-seong Has No Fear, 'Didn't Even Glance at the Fence' — How Did She Make Such a Dash? Praise Floods In from U.S. Locals

*This content was translated by AI.

LA Dodgers utility player Kim Hye-seong (27) displayed a spectacular defensive play without fearing a collision with the fence. In the United States, praise for Kim Hye-seong has been abundant. Most notably, this was a moment where she revealed her true abilities not as her primary position, an infielder, but as an outfielder.

On the 28th (Korean time), Kim Hye-seong entered the game in the bottom of the third inning as a substitute in the home game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA, during the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season. She recorded one hit in two at-bats and scored one run.

Kim Hye-seong, who was excluded from the starting lineup that day, suddenly stepped onto the field in the third inning. Teoscar Hernandez complained of pain in his hamstring after hitting in the bottom of the second and running to first base.

In response, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts immediately substituted Kim Hye-seong. However, she was not placed at her primary positions of shortstop or second base, but at left field. This was the first time Kim Hye-seong had played left field since joining the majors. She had briefly played left field during her time in the KBO League.

Upon entering the game, Kim Hye-seong immediately recorded a hit, showcasing her excellent batting form. In her first at-bat after two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, she crushed a 92.5-mile-per-hour (approximately 148.9 km/h) sinker from Colorado's Japanese starting pitcher Sugano, hitting a two-run single to center field. Later, Kim Hye-seong scored runs when Will Smith hit a double and Alex Colome hit a sacrifice fly to left field.

Kim Hye-seong's true abilities were revealed in the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh, with the Dodgers leading 3-1, leadoff hitter Willie Castro hit a ball that soared toward left field. The ball appeared to be heading from the inside of the field toward the outside, likely resulting in a foul ball.

However, Kim Hye-seong demonstrated incredible focus here. Immediately after the hit, she chased the ball without even looking at the fence near the third-base side, charging forward as if in a dash. Although a collision with the fence was a real possibility, Kim Hye-seong paid it no mind. As she approached the fence, she seemed to briefly acknowledge the potential collision, turning her head and body while extending her gloved left hand, and the ball was sucked into her glove.

Dodgers bullpen pitcher Antonio Senzatela, standing on the mound, tipped his cap to Kim Hye-seong in a gesture of respect. Applause erupted from the stands, and Kim Hye-seong herself repeatedly patted her glove, showing renewed determination.

This season, Kim Hye-seong began in the minor league Triple-A level. However, when Mookie Betts suffered an injury, she was suddenly promoted to the major league roster and began playing on the field.

There were even concerns about her being demoted to the minor leagues. At the time of Betts' injury recovery and again when Kike Hernandez was expected to return, local U.S. media predicted Kim Hye-seong would be sent back to the minors. Yet, Kim Hye-seong remains in the majors, continuing to receive playing opportunities.

Kim Hye-seong has appeared in 43 games this season, recording a batting average of 0.259 (30 hits in 116 at-bats), one home run, three doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs, 19 runs scored, 31 strikeouts, 12 walks, five stolen bases (one failed), an on-base percentage of 0.323, a slugging percentage of 0.328, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.651.

Praise has also been abundant from U.S. locals. On the 29th, the Orange County Register praised Kim Hye-seong, stating, "In an era of modern baseball dominated by home runs and slugging, Kim Hye-seong has proven her survival value on the major league stage by showcasing her unique versatility, quick agility, and clutch ability."

Kim Hye-seong took a day off on the 29th, the day without a Dodgers game. The Dodgers will play a three-game home series against Philadelphia from the 30th to the 1st. How will Kim Hye-seong perform next? Expectations among Korean fans are rising.

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*This content was translated by AI.