Roberts explains – Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Hyeseong Kim was optioned to Triple-A to “get him back to playing every day” and fix a clear change in his swing, including more swing-and-miss and a more tentative approach at the plate.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t dress it up when explaining why second-year infielder Heyseong Kim was optioned to the team’s Triple-A affiliate.
At Friday’s press conference, Roberts pointed to what he believes has changed in Kim’s at-bats over the last couple of weeks—specifically the feel of the swing and the way the contact has been coming (or not coming).
Roberts said. “I think his swing has changed; I think he’s losing his legs a little bit. I think he’s coming around the ball a little bit. There’s a lot more swing-and-miss than there was early. I think he is just playing a little bit—with my eyes—more tentative. and not as free & easy as he was in some parts of last year and early on.”.
He linked that shift to a broader goal: restoring Kim’s rhythm by giving him the chance to play every day in a less pressurized stretch. “So I think that just kind of getting him back to playing every day in a little bit less of a hot box. he’ll perform back to where he can and will. And so that’s kind of what we’re hoping for,” Roberts added.
The question at the core of this decision is simple: how do you fix a slump that looks mechanical rather than purely psychological? Roberts’ explanation made it clear he sees the problem traveling through Kim’s swing mechanics and confidence in the moment.
Kim’s situation matters to the Dodgers in more ways than one. He’s in his sophomore season and has made progress in the majors. playing an active role and being part of last year’s championship squad. But the team is now reacting to what Roberts described as shaky performances at the plate. prompting the reset down to Triple-A.
The move also lands while Los Angeles is in a strong position in the NL West. The Dodgers are 36-20 on the season. controlling the top spot. and are ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. The club is riding five consecutive wins and is set for a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Game 1 of that series starts Friday night at 10:15 p.m. ET.
For the Dodgers, the hope is that a change of pace—paired with daily reps—can bring Kim back to the approach he showed during parts of last year and early this season, before the swing started looking, in Roberts’ words, less free and more tentative.
Dodgers Dave Roberts Hyeseong Kim Heyseong Kim Triple-A option MLB swing analysis NL West Phillies