'They called up Kim Hye-seong, but we don't know if he'll be on the roster?' Manager's remarks surface! What is KIM's fate in the postseason?

*This content was translated by AI.

Although he was suddenly called up to the major leagues, that did not guarantee him a ticket to the postseason. The LA Dodgers called up infielder Kim Hye-seong (27) to the Major Leagues, but both the team's front office and local media outlets are taking a cautious stance regarding whether he will be included in the postseason roster.

On the 30th (Korean time), the Dodgers organization announced via the Major League player movement page that they had suddenly called up Kim Hye-seong, who was playing for their Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City, along with left-handed pitcher Ronan Copeland. This roster move was made just before the start of the National League Division Series (NLDS). From the Dodgers' perspective, it appears they will finalize their roster depending on whether the Atlanta Braves or the Philadelphia Phillies advance to the NLDS. Recently, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that he might utilize Kim Hye-seong as a pinch runner in the postseason.

However, before Kim Hye-seong could fully enjoy the joy of his 'call-up,' the complex internal dynamics of the team and front office were revealed. According to 'Dodgers Nation,' a media outlet specializing in Dodgers news, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes avoided giving a definitive answer on the likelihood of Kim Hye-seong, along with prospects Jose de Paula and Dalton Rushing, making the NLDS roster.

Gomes told the media, "Depending on the situation, we might feel 'we made the right call bringing A,' or we might regret it by thinking 'it would have been nice to have B.' We need to accurately determine how best to utilize our roster. As Saturday (the start of the Division Series) approaches and the opponent is confirmed, a wide variety of scenarios and outcomes are possible." In essence, while they had already executed the call-up to the first division, they reiterated a principled stance that the composition of the 26th-man short-term series roster would be calculated meticulously based on the opposing team.

Amidst the team's ambiguous attitude, skeptical predictions about Kim Hye-seong's postseason inclusion even emerged among local media panelists. Aaron Coloma, a reporter for 'Dodgers Nation,' stated, "I believe Alex Cole could be included in the NLDS roster. He can play outfield defense and has base-running ability, making him a highly valuable resource," adding, "It does not appear that Kim Hye-seong will make the Dodgers' NLDS roster." This was a cold analysis suggesting that although Kim Hye-seong can be utilized as an infield backup and pinch runner option, he could be edged out in the competition for outfield defensive depth and specialized bench resources by players like Alex Cole.

Despite the favorable development of a sudden call-up at the end of the regular season, Kim Hye-seong found himself unable to escape a grueling survival race right up until the submission of the roster for Game 1 of the Division Series. Depending on which direction the Dodgers' bench calculations lean, the postseason fate of 'big leaguer' Kim Hye-seong is expected to remain in limbo until the moment the opposing team is finally determined.

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*This content was translated by AI.