Hyeseong Kim enjoyed the best game of his young Major League career in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 18-2 blowout win over the New York Yankees on Saturday.
The 26-year-old started at shortstop in place of the injured Mookie Betts and reached base safely five times, going 4-for-4 with a double, home run, walk, two RBI and three runs scored.
In addition to his contributions at the plate, Kim made a pair of terrific defensive plays against the Yankees. He first turned an unassisted double play at shortstop to help Landon Knack avoid a big third inning.
“He was huge,” Knack said. “It was awesome to see him kind of saving me. The double play ball and then that throw in on Judge, was just awesome. Great day for him.”
Then in the sixth after moving to center field, Kim threw out Aaron Judge trying to extend a single into a double.
“I think he’s got a plus-arm. It doesn’t always show, but he’s an all-around good baseball player,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Kim. “Giving him some runway, he’s making good on it and taking advantage of it.”
Kim joined the Dodgers roster less than a month ago but has already been able to bond with his teammates despite a language barrier.
“Just that baseball language,” Roberts answered when asked how Kim has been able to fit in with the Dodgers. “I think he’s very respectful, very humble. There’s a joy to it that I think draws people towards him. They talk. I don’t know how they communicate, but they talk.”
Hyeseong Kim achieves MLB first
With the type of performance he had against the Yankees, Kim became the first player in MLB history during the Modern Era (since 1901) with at least four hits, a home run, unassisted double play and an outfield assist in one game.
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