Hyeseong Kim, best known to Dodgers fans for his speed, contact hitting, and defensive versatility, surprised the baseball world by pitching three scoreless innings during the KBO’s “Generation Match” exhibition game in Seoul. The event, featuring Korean stars from different baseball eras, saw Kim join the “Rising Team” as a special overseas participant.
Though the matchup was informal, Kim’s performance was anything but. He tossed 36 pitches across three clean innings, allowing just three baserunners while striking out two. His command, poise, and confidence on the mound caught immediate attention, especially coming from a player not known for pitching at the professional level.
The game itself ended in a 10–10 tie after seven innings, but Kim’s outing became one of the biggest storylines of the event. Fans and commentators quickly began to ask the same question: Was this merely a fun exhibition stunt, or something more?
Kim’s mechanics, while not those of an elite pitcher, showed surprising polish—especially considering he hasn’t pitched competitively since his youth baseball days in Korea. His delivery was smooth, and his mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches kept hitters off balance.
For an infielder to pitch this effectively in a professional setting—even an exhibition—was enough to raise eyebrows.
Kim’s unique pitching display comes on the heels of a promising first MLB season with the Dodgers. After signing a three-year deal in January 2025, he began the year in Triple-A before earning a call-up to the major-league roster.
He started hot, hitting .422 in his first 45 at-bats and energizing the lineup with his speed and bat-to-ball skills. Over 71 games, he finished the season batting .280 with 3 home runs, 13 stolen bases, and solid defensive contributions at multiple positions.
Despite some struggles defensively in the middle of the season, Kim’s athleticism and baseball IQ earned him praise from the Dodgers’ coaching staff. Now, with this unexpected pitching performance, his profile has only expanded.
In an MLB landscape transformed by Shohei Ohtani’s success, teams are increasingly open to creative player usage. While no one is suggesting Kim is poised to become a full-time two-way star, his strong outing might encourage the Dodgers to explore unconventional roles in:
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Spring training exhibitions
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Blowout game situations
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Bullpen emergencies
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Minor league conditioning assignments
Kim’s versatility has always been one of his strengths. Adding occasional pitching— even in limited capacity—would make him an even more valuable roster piece.
Online reaction from both Korean and MLB fans was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Clips of Kim’s strikeouts circulated quickly across social media, with many calling his performance “unexpected,” “exciting,” and “a sign of hidden talent.”
The Dodgers have not yet commented on whether they plan to experiment with Kim on the mound, but his performance overseas will almost certainly be discussed internally.
For now, it remains a fascinating footnote—one that could evolve into something more.
As Kim prepares for the 2026 season, questions linger:
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Will the Dodgers explore pitching looks in spring training?
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Was this outing just for fun, or a glimpse into untapped ability?
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Could Kim become one of MLB’s rare part-time two-way players?
Regardless of what comes next, one thing is certain: Hyeseong Kim’s three scoreless innings have added a surprising new chapter to his already exciting MLB journey. And both the Dodgers and KBO fans will be watching closely.
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