The Los Angeles Dodgers have had an aura around them, long before winning their eighth World Series in franchise history.
Winning championships sure helps with a team’s reputation, but one of the newest Dodgers on the roster revealed why he chose Los Angeles, despite a potentially larger role and more attention on a different ball club.
Hyeseong Kim was a star in the Korean Baseball Organization.
Last season saw the infielder hitting an impressive .326 batting average with 41 extra base hits and 75 RBI. He has also had at least 20 stolen bases in every full season he has played since 2018, finishing 2024 with 30 swipes.
These are really great stats for the infielder and bringing these talents to the current champions of the baseball world will prove invaluable to Los Angeles.
In an interview with his now-former KBO team, the Kiwoom Heroes, Kim revealed what brought him to L.A., and the answer is quite simple.
“Well, they’re the Dodgers” the 25-year-old said with a smile, “I was so familiar with the Dodgers, having watched Chan Ho Park and Hyun-Jin Ryu play there. And they’re the defending champions.
“My heart leaned toward the Dodgers for these reasons.”
Former Korean Dodgers, being the defending champions, and consistently running a world-class organization were obvious benefits to joining the team, but another team down south was also in on Kim.
The Los Angeles Angels, who had been extremely active this off season, made a play at the infielder, but was reportedly less than what the Dodgers offered.
Kim could have fit in well with the rebuilding Angels, but is sacrificing more potential spotlight and a larger role to play with the defending champions. A team that he revealed has grown up watching.
In addition to his proven offensive capabilities, Kim is also a standout defenseman. He has earned three Gold Glove awards at second base and shortstop during his time in Korea.
He brings immense flexibility to a Dodgers roster that, before trading Gavin Lux, may have had one too many infielders. His ability to play all around the diamond relieves pressure among where the Dodgers lineup will lay come Spring Training.
