'Shock Elimination': Kim Hye-seong Expected to Be Completely Omitted from LA Dodgers' Postseason Roster, as Predicted by U.S. Local Media... Should a Trade Happen?

*This content was translated by AI.

U.S. local media have projected the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason roster for this year. However, the name of utility player Kim Hye-seong (27) is entirely absent, causing shock.

The official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), MLB.com, released on the 7th (Korean time) an "early look at Dodgers' potential playoff roster."

First, it projected that the Dodgers' starting lineup would include Will Smith (catcher), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Tommy Edman (second baseman), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Max Muncy (third baseman), Teoscar Hernández (left fielder), Andy Pages (center fielder), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), and Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter).

For the bench and utility resources, a total of five players were listed: Ben Rortvedt, Dalton Rushing, Miguel Rojas, Kike Hernández, and Alex Colome. In contrast, Kim Hye-seong's name did not appear.

Regarding the Dodgers' four-man postseason rotation, the media predicted it would be built by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Shohei Ohtani.

As for the bullpen, the media forecast that Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Rocky Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, Justin Robleski, Jack Drayer, Edgardo Enríquez, Evan Phillips, and Alex Vesia would each secure one spot.

The media stated, "Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will find a way to include Kike Hernández in the starting lineup," adding, "However, since he can play multiple positions, his name was not included in the projected starting lineup."

Indeed, the most striking point is Kim Hye-seong's omission.

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

Of course, there were also concerns about his potential demotion back to the minors. At the time of Betts' return from injury and again at the time of Kike Hernández's return, U.S. local media each predicted that Kim Hye-seong would head back to the minor leagues. Yet, it seemed Kim Hye-seong continued to receive playing opportunities under manager Roberts' trust.

A change occurred for him on May 30. He was demoted to the minor league Triple-A level. Since then, he has remained in the minors for over three months without receiving a call-up opportunity to the major leagues.

His major league performance this season includes 43 games played, with a batting average of .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 attempt), an on-base percentage of .323, a slugging percentage of .328, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .651.

Kim Hye-seong has recently failed to make a significant impression even at the Triple-A level. As of the previous day (the 6th), he remained hitless in five consecutive games. The previous day, he started as the seventh hitter and second baseman in a minor league game against the Salt Lake Bees (a Triple-A team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels) held at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, Utah, recording four at-bats without hits, two runs scored, one walk, and one strikeout.

His recent 15-game minor league performance shows a batting average of .186, an on-base percentage of .250, and a slugging percentage of .186. Although he stole six bases, he had no extra-base hits. Additionally, he struck out 16 times. Last year, Kim Hye-seong established himself as a utility player and even earned a World Series championship ring. However, this season, he has struggled to break through the Dodgers' deep infield depth.

The media outlet Dodgers After Duty, which reports on news about Dodgers-affiliated minor league teams, stated, "What has happened to Kim Hye-seong? It might be necessary for him to move to another team, including the Los Angeles Angels," even mentioning trade rumors. When exactly will Kim Hye-seong rebound and return to the major league stage?

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*This content was translated by AI.