Kim Hye-sung’s MLB Callup: “I’m Happy and Excited
- Los Angeles – Kim hye-sung, 26, is on the verge of his Major League debut after being called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Should he take the...
- The Dodgers announced the roster move on Monday, stating that they had placed Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list (IL) due to a right ankle injury and...
- Edman, who has played both second base and centre field for the Dodgers, will be sidelined, opening an prospect for Kim Hye-sung to contribute.
Kim Hye-sung called Up to Dodgers After Edman Injury
Los Angeles – Kim hye-sung, 26, is on the verge of his Major League debut after being called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Should he take the field, he will become the 28th South Korean player to play in MLB, following in the footsteps of Park Chan-ho.
The Dodgers announced the roster move on Monday, stating that they had placed Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list (IL) due to a right ankle injury and recalled Kim Hye-sung from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Edman, who has played both second base and centre field for the Dodgers, will be sidelined, opening an prospect for Kim Hye-sung to contribute.
Kim Hye-sung expressed his surprise and excitement about the call-up. “I was really surprised by the callup,” Kim told MLB.com. “I told my mother, and suddenly I packed up.”
He added that he feels more comfortable now than he did earlier in the season. “In the meantime, it has become more comfortable than it used to be as it has been,” he said. “Confidence is the same (early in the season).”
During spring training, Kim Hye-sung focused on adjusting his swing to better handle fastballs. “I changed a lot of things as a whole, but I still have a lot of things to get better,” he said when asked about the adjustments.
Despite starting the season in the minor leagues, Kim Hye-sung remained optimistic. ”I didn’t feel sad or disappointed,” he stated. “I wanted to come up quickly and come up. I worked hard while I was in Triple A, and I had a good experience with the triple A players.”
Kim hye-sung also commented on his experience in Triple-A, noting the similarities to his previous baseball life.”There was no environmental difference. I had the same baseball and good meals like before,” he said.”English is also increasing.”
Kim Hye-sung signed a three-year, $22 million contract with the Dodgers in January after being posted by the KBO league’s Kiwoom Heroes.
In Triple-A, Kim Hye-sung batted .252 with 5 home runs, 19 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases in 115 at-bats, posting an OPS of.798.
Lee Jung-hoo, who played alongside Kim Hye-sung on the Kiwoom Heroes, reportedly congratulated Kim on his MLB call-up via social media.