During a recent Dodgers game, Hyeseong Kim, who has idolized Shohei Ohtani, finally shared the field with him after signing with the team. Kim, a 5-foot-10 infielder, celebrated his MLB debut with two hits, including a memorable leadoff single before Ohtani’s homer contributed to a 7-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. Both players embraced joyfully, highlighting Kim’s honor in playing alongside Ohtani. Despite a rocky start in the majors, Kim showed promise with his performance, offering the Dodgers a valuable asset as they navigate roster challenges due to injuries. His adaptability and positive impact have garnered team support.
On Monday night at LoanDepot Park, the Dodgers’ largest player awaited their smallest counterpart in the visiting dugout.
In a joyful moment captured by television cameras, the two shared a mid-game celebratory embrace.
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Hyeseong Kim, like many Asian-born players from his generation, has long admired Shohei Ohtani. Initially, he observed from a distance, closely following the Japanese star while starting his own career in the Korean Baseball Organization. This winter, the two coincidentally became training partners, occasionally working out together in Southern California as Kim (who, like Ohtani, is represented by Creative Artists Agency) prepared for his major league transition.
Ultimately, Kim signed with the Dodgers, even though the quick 5-foot-10 infielder could have likely secured a better financial deal and regular playing time elsewhere. One of the key attractions was the chance to play alongside Ohtani and the team’s roster of other renowned talents.
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In the Dodgers’ 7-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday, Kim finally had that opportunity, sharing a starting lineup with Ohtani for the first time since his call-up to the majors the previous week.
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During the top of the fifth inning, the two teamed up in a sequence that put the game out of reach—Kim recorded his first MLB hit with a leadoff single, and Ohtani followed with a home run, extending the score to 5-0.
After Ohtani rounded the bases, Kim was the first to congratulate him, offering a high-five near the on-deck circle. Back in the dugout, Ohtani reciprocated, placing his hands on Kim’s helmet and breaking into a big smile while jumping excitedly.
“Even [though] he hit his home run, he celebrated for me and congratulated me,” Kim said through interpreter Joe Lee, after finishing two for four with a stolen base. “It was a great honor.”
“Just an amazing performance by Kim,” Ohtani remarked through his interpreter, Will Ireton. “Really good, just overall.”
Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim throws to first during the first inning Monday against the Marlins. (Marta Lavandier / Associated Press)
The Dodgers (24-11) had numerous contributors on Monday, marking their seventh win in the last eight games.
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Freddie Freeman contributed two hits (including a third-inning home run, the 350th of his career), Mookie Betts achieved his fifth multi-hit game in the last six, and both Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández (who exited early due to left hamstring tightness) also had two hits each.
Ben Casparius, the rookie right-hander, provided four solid innings of relief, compensating for the Dodgers’ recent rotation injuries.
Even outfielder Michael Conforto, who has been struggling, broke a 30 at-bat hitless streak with a much-needed single in the sixth.
However, all of it was overshadowed by Kim’s standout performance. He secured his first two career hits, his first career RBI, and most notably, received a brief but joyful acknowledgment from the league’s best player.
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“I would say I’m still not fully comfortable with him, because he’s a huge star,” Kim said about Ohtani with a laugh. “But he always asks questions and talks to me. It makes for a good adjustment and adaptation.”
Since signing a three-year, $12.5-million contract with the Dodgers in January, Kim has had to adapt significantly. The 26-year-old had game-changing speed and the potential for Gold Glove-caliber defense but needed to completely overhaul his swing to handle the high-velocity pitching in the majors.
Read more: Dodgers giving Korean rookie Hyeseong Kim every chance to succeed
The early outcomes weren’t promising. Kim struggled at the plate, finishing six for 29 in Cactus League play. He didn’t make the initial cut for the Dodgers’ opening trip to Japan and was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City at the start of the regular season.
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However, over the past month, Kim rapidly improved his mechanics, incorporating his powerful lower half more effectively. He maintained his existing contact skills (having been a .308 hitter over eight seasons in the KBO) while also hitting with greater authority.
“He used to pop up out of his stance [on each swing], which prevented him from utilizing his strength,” co-hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc explained. “That was crucial, but also refining the overall swing for greater functionality.”
Kim’s progress was evident enough that when Tommy Edman went on the injured list with an ankle injury last week, the Dodgers felt confident calling him up for his first appearance.
Initially, the plan was for him to be around for a week, allowing him to “cut his teeth,” as Roberts put it, in an MLB setting, then send him back to Triple-A for continued development.
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However, following Monday’s performance, plans might need adjustment.
“For him to come in here, get a hit, achieve a couple of hits, and play solid defense, it was just really exciting,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He adds a spark to our ballclub.”
Tasked with facing Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, a former Cy Young Award winner returning from Tommy John surgery, Kim showcased all the skills that made him a sought-after international free agent this winter.
He hit to the opposite field for both of his hits, following a line drive in the fifth inning with a bloop RBI single in the sixth.
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He swiped his second base in as many nights, darting to second just two pitches before Ohtani’s home run.
Additionally, he almost executed a web gem, charging in to field a slow-rolling grounder in the eighth inning before flipping a highlight-reel toss with his glove, which Freeman unfortunately couldn’t handle, resulting in an error at first base.
“He could be a valuable asset,” Freeman remarked postgame, clearly impressed.
Hernández’s injury, sustained while making a running catch in the gap in the third inning, might allow Kim more time in the majors. Hernández is set for an MRI on Tuesday, but the Dodgers were already preparing to send another player to Miami in case he needs to go on the IL.
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In the meantime, Kim is expected to make a second consecutive start on Tuesday. It’s possible he’ll play in center field, a position he frequently occupied during his time in Oklahoma City to enhance his versatility.
“Honestly, everyone loves Hyeseong,” Roberts stated. “Everyone’s rooting for him.”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.