Hyeseong Kim is intensifying his efforts this spring in Phoenix, aiming to rebuild both his swing and his chances of securing a place on the Dodgers’ roster. After a challenging rookie season in MLB, the 27-year-old infielder from South Korea has been working closely with the Dodgers’ coaching staff to improve his swing mechanics, which analysts see as crucial for his success and potential role on the team.
Kim’s struggles in his debut season were anticipated, given his transition from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to the major leagues. Despite his contact-oriented hitting style, he initially found it difficult to adapt to the higher level of pitching, especially against breaking balls, due to flaws in his swing. This issue made him vulnerable to exploitation by MLB pitchers.
Adjustments in Swing Mechanics to Enhance Performance
Dodgers hitting coaches have dedicated the past year to refining Kim’s technique. Their focus began with improving how Kim uses his lower body, encouraging him to leverage his legs to generate more power and maintain stability at the plate. Although he stands 5-foot-10, the coaching staff recognizes his physical strength and aims to maximize this through enhanced footwork and balance.
Next, coaches made careful modifications to Kim’s upper-body positioning. They worked on aligning his torso and back to keep him more squared to the ball throughout the swing, which could help him better track pitches and react more efficiently.
Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates described Kim’s previous swing as overly “twisted,” explaining,
“He twisted (in his swing) before, where his body would almost get twisted behind his back,”
and added,
“Now, we’re basically trying to keep him more square, longer, with the way he loads and swings. Using the ground first and then going ground up.”
Encouraging Early Results in Cactus League Games
Kim’s efforts have already begun to pay off in spring training. Through four Cactus League contests, he is hitting .462 with six hits in 13 at-bats, including a powerful home run in a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox. This milestone highlighted his swing improvements and provided optimism about his future contributions.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Kim’s progress, stating,
“What I’ve seen so far from Hyeseong has been really good stuff.”
This recognition from the team’s manager indicates Kim’s rising profile ahead of the 2026 season.
Overcoming a Rocky Rookie Campaign
Kim’s path to this point has not been smooth. In his first year, he did not start the season with the major league roster and played mostly in Triple-A during the initial month. Upon his debut, he showed early promise by batting .383 across his first 36 games, but his production declined sharply thereafter.
From July onward, Kim’s batting average fell to .175, and he struggled with a shoulder injury that sidelined him part of the season. In the playoffs, his involvement was limited to a pinch-running role, highlighting his diminished presence on the club late in the year.
Speaking recently through an interpreter, Kim admitted his dissatisfaction with last season’s results and expressed determination to improve. He said,
“I was not satisfied last year,”
acknowledging that despite a final .280 average, his on-base plus slugging (OPS) was just .699, and his strikeout rate of 30.6% was well above league norms. Kim added,
“I found out some of the things that I needed to work on. I just want to work hard and make sure that I make the roster right off the bat after spring training.”
Kim’s Current Standing and Expected Role
As Opening Day approaches, Kim appears well-positioned to earn a roster spot, especially following Tommy Edman’s announcement that he would miss the season’s start. This absence opens an opportunity for Kim to compete for a utility role, potentially seeing time at second base and in the outfield. At second, he could serve as a left-handed platoon partner for Miguel Rojas, while in center field, he might back up Andy Pages.
Despite Kim’s progress, he is not guaranteed a spot and faces evaluation challenges as he prepares to join Team South Korea for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Manager Dave Roberts noted the difficulty in assessing Kim while he is away but remains optimistic about the improvements so far.
Roberts remarked,
“I think he’s closed some of those holes (where pitchers used to exploit him). The hitting guys worked really hard on cleaning some things up for him mechanically.”
Impressive Batting Practice and Pre-WBC Performance
Even before official Cactus League games commenced, Kim displayed promising signs during live batting practice sessions against the Dodgers’ talented pitching staff, which included an opposite-field home run off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a notable MLB pitcher. This performance underscored his growing confidence and ability to handle elite pitching.
In his last game before departing for the WBC, Kim delivered a key moment by hitting a commanding home run. Facing a two-strike count, he showed patience by letting the ball travel and made a strong decision to swing at an inside breaking ball, driving the ball 384 feet over the right-field bullpen at Camelback Ranch.
Aaron Bates commented on this approach, saying,
“Those are good signs when he’s basically letting the ball travel and can make decisions later (on each swing).”
Next Steps as Dodgers Monitor Kim’s Progress
The Dodgers plan to continue monitoring Kim’s performance throughout the World Baseball Classic but will withhold definitive judgments about his role until his return. The team remains committed to the gradual swing adjustments that began to show results this spring and hopes Kim will build on this momentum.
Manager Roberts added,
“He’s had a great camp so far. The home run was icing on the cake.”
The Dodgers envision Kim as a player who can significantly contribute in the upcoming season if he continues along this trajectory.
Broader Context within the Dodgers’ Offseason and Roster Moves
Kim’s development takes place amid a dynamic offseason and spring camp as the Dodgers finalize their 2026 roster. His performance in camp is part of an ongoing evaluation process that includes other players vying for key roles and the impact of international commitments such as the WBC. Kim’s emergence as a versatile, left-handed hitter could help the Dodgers address depth concerns at multiple positions.
How Kim adapts and performs through the coming weeks will be critical in determining the team’s final roster configuration. His ability to translate swing improvements into consistent offensive output could solidify his standing as a vital player for the Dodgers moving forward.
