Hyeseong

Kim

Kim gets the nod over Andy Pages in center field for Monday’s series opener with both Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández back in Los Angeles’ loaded lineup. It’s going to be a bit of a logistical challenge for the Dodgers to find a way to keep the 26-year-old rookie’s bat in the lineup on an everyday basis, but they’ll continue to give him opportunities against right-handed pitching. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that they’re envisioning at least three or four starts per-week at the moment. The playing time concerns will persist, but Kim is at least worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats based on his batting average and stolen base potential.

The Dodgers remain unwilling to give Kim consistent opportunities against left-handed starters, which is the case with veteran southpaw Yusei Kikuchi toeing the rubber on Sunday afternoon. It’ll be Miguel Rojas at the keystone instead. However, they’ve cut ties with veteran utility specialist Chris Taylor and will be rolling with Kim until further notice in a multi-position role, even with Tommy Edman back from the injured list. He’ll presumably split time between second base and center field over the next few weeks when Los Angeles is facing right-handed pitchers. The 26-year-old top prospect is off to an excellent start since being called up back on May 3, hitting .452/.485/.581 with nine runs scored, one homer, five RBI and three steals in 14 games.

Edman rejoins the Dodgers’ loaded lineup ahead of Sunday’s Freeway Series finale against the Angels following a nearly three-week absence recovering from right ankle inflammation. The versatile 30-year-old, who is in center field and batting sixth on Sunday afternoon, figures to bounce around between second base and center field until further notice as Los Angeles tries to find opportunities for rookie Hyeseong Kim to stay in the lineup.

It’s a vote of confidence in rookie Hyeseong Kim that Taylor, the longest-tenured position player left in the Dodgers clubhouse, has been jettisoned in the final year of his four-year, $60 million contract. The 34-year-old veteran’s defensive versatility and postseason experience should attract some interest on the open market. The two-time World Series champion leaves Los Angeles after spending a decade with the organization dating back to 2016.

Kim has been sizzling-hot at the plate recently, reaching base safely in nine of his last 10 plate appearances over his last three games. The 26-year-old rookie is batting an impressive .452 (14-for-31) with one homer, five RBI and three steals through 13 games since arriving in the majors back in early May. He won’t offer a ton of over-the-fence pop given his swing and approach, but he’s likely going to provide some serious fantasy appeal as a batting average and steals source. It’ll be challenging for the Dodgers to keep his bat in the lineup everyday once Tommy Edman (ankle) and Teoscar Hernández (adductor) return from the injured list, but they’re going to need to figure it out. He’s simply been too productive to justify putting him on the bench or shipping him back to the minors.

Kim smacked a one-out single off of Osvaldo Bido in the second inning, swiped second base and scored on an RBI single off the bat of Mookie Betts. He punished catcher Jhonny Pereda with an RBI double in the eighth before scoring on Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly. Kim also scored twice on two Shohei Ohtani homers. He has been awfully impressive to start his big league career, hitting .429/.467/.571 with a homer, five RBI and three stolen bases in his first 30 plate appearances.

Kim’s homer was the first of his MLB career. The 26-year-old also singled, and he’s now 9-for-25 (.360) to begin this career with a .480 slugging percentage. He’s added two stolen bases, and while Kim has not been an everyday option, he’s at least shown in this small sample that there’s a chance for fantasy fireworks if/when he earns a regular role.

Kim is hitting .316 (6-for-19) with zero extra-base hits and two steals in eight games since being called up last weekend to make his Dodgers debut. The versatile 26-year-old infielder has split time between second base and center field over the last week and figures to oscillate between the two spots moving forward. The lack of significant over-the-fence power limits his fantasy upside, but he projects as a decent batting average and steals source, especially in Los Angeles’ loaded lineup.

It’s a scheduled off day for Betts, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. It’ll be veteran Miguel Rojas taking over at shortstop with Hyeseong Kim at second base.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Hernández has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 adductor strain and is going to be out “for a while.” There’s noting official from the team regarding a definitive timeline, but he’s likely facing a multi-week absence. The 32-year-old slugger’s absence is a significant loss for fantasy managers as he hits the shelf with a robust .933 OPS with nine homers, a major league-leading 34 RBI and four steals through 33 games. The Dodgers are well-position to fill the void with Hyeseong Kim and James Outman picking up additional opportunities in the outfield alongside rising star Andy Páges, who figures to consistently bat higher in the lineup until Hernández returns.