Hyeseong Kim has been everything the Dodgers hoped he would be – versatile, speedy and sure-handed – when they signed him to a three-year, $12.5 million contract. Since his call-up to the majors last month, the fans have embraced him enthusiastically.
Barely a month into his MLB career, Dodgers utility man Hyeseong Kim has shot to fame with the fans.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU SPORTS EDITOR
On this team, he’s surrounded by a constellation of stars, but perhaps his name foretold the popularity that was to come.
“My name, in Korean, it literally means ‘Comet,’” Hyeseong Kim said before his Dodgers hosted the New York Yankees last Sunday. Just over a month since his debut in the U.S. major leagues, the versatile 26-year-old player from South Korea was in the thick of the long-awaited rematch between last year’s World Series opponents.
After taking some on-field batting practice, Kim said the main difference between MLB and the Korean pro leagues is the speed and other adjustments.
“Baseball is baseball, but at this level, the main thing is making the adjustments,” he told The Rafu. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by great players.”
Since being called up from the Dodgers’ AAA affiliate — and making his first appearance for the the big club on May 3 — Kim’s popularity has soared. Fans have said he’s down-to-earth, polite, respectful and that breezy smile doesn’t hurt.
His play on the field, of course, is why he’s here. During the last offseason, the Dodgers signed Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract, which included two additional option years, making the entire deal worth a possible $22 million.
Speedy and able to hit for average and power, Kim spent the first month or so of the season in the minors, tuning up for “the show.” That team’s name? The Oklahoma City Comets, no less.
When utility specialist Tommy Edman was sidelined briefly with an injury, Kim got the call and has been a revelation, batting over .422 with a pair of home runs and seven runs batted in, prior to Sunday’s game against the Yankees.
On May 31, he went 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two RBI, a walk and even uncorked an unassisted double play, in the Dodgers’ 18-2 romp over the Bronx Bombers.
Growing up, Kim said the Dodgers were hands down his favorite team, the one that brought his favorite player – pitcher Chan Ho Park – to the U.S. as the first Korean-born player in the majors.
“Obviously they’re the best team in the world. I want to make sure I live up to their standard,” he wrote shortly after signing with L.A.
Kim wasn’t in the starting lineup for Sunday’s matchup, but thrilled fans in the Dodger Stadium Centerfield Plaza by appearing for an unannounced interview. He started by making his goals perfectly clear.
“This is a great team, so I’m trying to do my best to help them win another championship,” he said to the roar of the huge crowd.
Following his pre-game interview in the Dodger Stadium Centerfield Plaza, Kim obliged the host and the fans by taking a group selfie.
Dodger manager Dave Roberts has mostly had Kim batting ninth in the lineup, immediately ahead of the team’s biggest star – perhaps the biggest on the planet – Shohei Ohtani. The two have really established a friendly but unmistakably Asian rapport, seen on several occasions bowing to each other.
“In Korean culture, we always show respect to senior players, and so I bowed to him, and he has shown the same respect to me,” Kim explained.
Upon his signing with the Dodgers, Ohtani posted a note to Kim, in his native tongue.
“Welcome, my friend,” Ohtani wrote in Korean.
Another teammate Kim said he’s grown particularly close to is pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, an-other mega-star on a hefty contract.
“The common thing between me and Yama is that we’re both at the stage of learning English right now, and we kind of have similar English skills, so it’s very comfort-able to talk with him,” Kim said. “We talk about food a lot.”
As for his favorite foods, Kim said tries to adhere to a protein-rich diet, so steak is a mainstay for him. Asked about his cooking skills, he said in English flatly, “No, no.”
Outside of baseball, Kim said he likes to listen to music – including Korean pop – and relax with a You-Tube video. His favorite off-field pastime is simple.
“I like to sleep,” he said with a laugh. “I try to get at least ten hours a night — it’s always good to get more if I can.”
Several fans at Sunday’s game were spotted sporting Dodger jerseys bearing Kim’s name and number 6. The top-selling shirts among MLB fans include three of his teammates – Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, so Kim was humble at the mention of his own jersey becoming popular.
“That’s not really a priority,” he said. “Playing good baseball, that’s what’s most important.”
So far, that’s what he’s been giving the fans, with some comet flash and a pure love of the game.