Trea Turner spent fewer than two complete seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, yet he made such an impression that it encouraged former KBO sensation Hyeseong Kim to select 6 as his jersey number.
Kim, who joined the Dodgers from Korea, mentioned that Turner was his preferred player while playing for the Dodgers in 2021 and 2022.
“I hope to perform well donning the same number as Trea Turner,” he remarked, according to Jeeho Yoo from the Korean Yonhap News Agency.
Turner came to Los Angeles alongside Max Scherzer at the 2021 trade deadline, during which he recorded a batting average of .338 across the last 52 games of the season, helping to propel the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series. He returned in 2022, posting a .298 average with 21 home runs and an .809 OPS before departing for the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency.
Kim also stated that he was influenced by watching Korean athletes Chan Ho Park and Hyun-Jin Ryu play for the Dodgers, which played a role in his decision to choose Los Angeles.
“The Dodgers are an outstanding team, and I followed them closely because of the Korean players,” added Kim, who will turn 26 on Opening Day. “It will be a privilege to make my major league debut with the franchise I grew up watching on television. I aim to achieve that as swiftly as possible. My short-term objective is to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.”
Hyeseong Kim brings speed and a powerful bat to the Dodgers
While it is difficult to directly compare a player’s KBO statistics to what he might achieve in the MLB, Kim’s performance with the Kiwoom Heroes definitely shows promise. He achieved a .326 batting average, made 30 stolen bases, and hit 11 home runs over 127 games in 2024.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Kim has maintained a batting average of .300 or higher. He has participated in the league since the age of 18 and has accumulated at least 20 stolen bases each year since he was 19.
“As this is my first year, I anticipated needing to fight for my playing time, regardless of where I ended up,” Kim said regarding his determination to showcase his skills in the major leagues. “In the end, I resolved to pursue that with the Dodgers.”
Kim has predominantly played second base throughout his career but has also spent a considerable amount of time at shortstop. He is a three-time KBO Gold Glove recipient for his defense across both positions.
With Gavin Lux now part of the Cincinnati Reds, Kim provides the Dodgers with additional infield flexibility, offering protection against injuries and enabling the team’s established stars to take the occasional rest.
Image Source: Hyeseong Kim @ Instagram
