LOS ANGELES — After a tumultuous rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hyeseong Kim — the highly anticipated South Korean star — sent a heartfelt thank you to fans: “I didn’t do my best this year, but thank you for your support. Next year, I’ll try harder so I can appear in front of you more often at the ballpark.”
Kim, 26, joined the Dodgers on a three-year, $12.5 million contract after a stellar run in the KBO.
But his MLB journey hasn’t been smooth: he started the season in Triple-A, then was called up to the main roster on May 3.
Over the course of the season, Kim has appeared in 71 games, recording three home runs, 17 RBIs, a .280 batting average, and a .699 OPS.
While he hasn’t always been a starter, his versatility—playing second base, shortstop, and even center field—and his speed and defensive prowess have helped him make his mark.
The Dodgers already have a deep roster with plenty of veteran players, but Kim is still highly regarded. Manager Dave Roberts even said he “earned his place in the rotation” thanks to his continued efforts, especially since Edman’s injury, which opened up opportunities for Kim to play more.
Despite his less-than-stellar debut season, Kim gave himself a “30 out of 100” rating, admitting he still has “70” points to work on — a self-criticism that is both humble and determined.
However, Dodgers fans still love him. His sincerity in his message and his open-minded attitude have touched the hearts of many. Kim promises to be a more important part of the lineup next season, especially with backup options like Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández currently free agents.
From a famous star in the KBO with 4 Golden Glove awards, Kim entered MLB as a potential unknown.
The 2025 season may not be perfect, but with the determination and support of the fans, his message is clear: Hyeseong Kim will come back stronger, and next time, the audience will often see him smiling on the field.
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