The Dodgers began Hyeseong Kim in middle area tonight in opposition to San Diego right-hander Stephen Kolek. Kim was flanked within the corners by Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández, leaving Michael Conforto out of the lineup. Supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned pregame that he’s not sure whether or not the lefty-hitting Conforto will get a begin in opposition to rookie righty Ryan Bergert in tomorrow’s collection finale (relayed by Sonja Chen of MLB.com).
Roberts didn’t body it as a benching, saying he envisions Conforto “enjoying so much nonetheless.” On the identical time, the veteran skipper acknowledged that Kim has earned the chance for normal enjoying time. Kim is a pure center infielder, however the Dodgers have Mookie Betts and Tommy Edman enjoying at these spots. That leaves middle area because the clearest place for Kim to get constant at-bats.
Signed to a three-year offseason deal out of Korea, the 26-year-old Kim started his Dodger tenure on non-obligatory task. Los Angeles known as him up in early Might. Kim was anticipated to work as a multi-positional participant off the bench. He has thrived in his first take a look at MLB pitching, working a .382/.425/.544 batting line by means of his first 30 massive league contests. He’s clearly not going to proceed hitting that effectively, however he’s placing the ball in play at an above-average price and has gone 6-6 on stolen base makes an attempt.
Pages is enjoying at an All-Star stage, whereas Hernández stays a middle-of-the-order bat. Getting Kim common outfield work will come on the expense of Conforto, who’s hitting .168/.305/.277 in his first season as a Dodger. He has hit beneath the Mendoza line in every month. Kim’s potential to play up the center additionally permits the Dodgers to make use of Pages in left area. He’d in any other case have to play middle when Conforto is in left.
It’s clearly not what the Dodgers envisioned once they signed Conforto to a stunning $17MM free agent deal. It was a reasonably sizable wager on his sturdy end to the 2024 marketing campaign whereas with the Giants. He’d been up-and-down by means of the season’s first couple months earlier than posting an OPS above .840 in each August and September. An damage to any of L.A.’s outfielders or a droop from Kim might reopen on a regular basis work for Conforto, however he might lose some enjoying time within the quick time period as they journey the new hand.
