Hyeseong Kim, Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers rookie’s moment in Miami: ‘A great honor’

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MIAMI — Hyeseong Kim has a way of making everyone around him smile. That much the Los Angeles Dodgers have learned quickly, and the second baseman’s aura has been sensed even by the biggest of stars he now calls teammates. That smile spread as wide as Kim’s face could handle Monday as a bouncing Shohei Ohtani greeted him in the dugout. Seconds earlier, he’d pummeled a baseball that challenged the sound barrier, screaming into the visiting bullpen at loanDepot Park.

All Ohtani wanted to do was celebrate Kim, the Korean rookie who has found a way to excite in his first taste of the major leagues. Ohtani jumped up and down, smacking fives with Kim before placing both hands squarely and playfully around Kim’s head.

Kim, making his first start in Major League Baseball after signing a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers this past winter, collected his first hit in the fifth inning of Monday’s 7-4 win over the Miami Marlins. He immediately stole his second base in two nights before jogging home on Ohtani’s home run. When the two returned to the dugout, Ohtani wanted the focus to be on the 26-year-old.

“Even if he hit his home run, he celebrated for me,” Kim said sheepishly through interpreter Joe Lee. “He gave me congratulations. It was a great honor.”

Shohei and Hyeseong. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/IIwTH38XWY

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 6, 2025

The two formed a relationship even before Kim finalized his decision to sign with the Dodgers. As Kim went through the posting process with the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes, the two worked out together at the same facility (Ohtani and his teammates were unable to use Dodger Stadium because of the ballpark’s ongoing renovations).

“I ended up working out and seeing him a lot during my rehab process during the offseason,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.

They share representation; both are clients of Creative Artists Agency. So as Kim went through the process, Ohtani imparted wisdom. Ohtani may not be the reason Kim chose the Dodgers over clubs such as the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners, but their relationship has continued to evolve as teammates.

“I would say I’m still not comfortable with him, because he’s a big star,” Kim said. “But he always talks to me first, he always asks questions, always talks to me, so that makes for a good adjustment and adapting.”

Kim has made a fast impression on the Dodgers, who optioned him to the minors just before the start of the season to work on what has been described as a complete overhaul of his swing to handle velocity and quality of stuff in the major leagues. That swing remains very much a work in progress. Had Tommy Edman not hurt his ankle six days ago sliding into third base in a blowout victory, Kim likely would still be in the minors.

That hasn’t stopped Kim from showing the kind of dynamic that made him so tantalizing this winter. He entered Sunday night’s loss against the Atlanta Braves as a pinch runner, immediately stealing second base, then taking third a batter later on a heady, gutsy play that brought the tying run within 90 feet of scoring. In his first start Monday, he showed his progress along with his potential. Rather than get bullied by velocity, he turned on a 99 mph sinker from former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara for a hard-hit out. In his second at-bat, he smacked a 96.6 mph fastball the other way for a single. An inning later, he hung with a two-strike changeup just off the dirt and lofted it into the outfield for a run-scoring single.

“Just an amazing performance by Kim,” Ohtani said. “Really good, just overall. Even yesterday, as well. So I’m very happy for him.”

Ohtani wasn’t alone.

“Honestly, I just think everyone loves Hyeseong Kim,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Everyone does. Everyone’s pulling for him. Everyone’s happy. He’s just a great teammate. I think there’s just humility. I think people just appreciate genuineness. He’s just a nice guy. That’s refreshing.”

Kim’s athleticism is a dynamic the Dodgers’ veteran-laden lineup hasn’t had in years.

“He can move around,” Freddie Freeman said. “He’s fast. He’s getting some hits. Made some adjustments from spring training. It’s nice to see that pay off for a guy getting his first hits in the big leagues. He could be a nice little weapon down there.”

That makes him intriguing.

“He just adds that spark to our ballclub,” Roberts said.

When Kim was called up, Roberts suggested his time in the majors could be brief. Circumstances can always change that. Look no further than Monday’s third inning. Marlins infielder Javier Sanoja laced a fly ball into the gap. As Teoscar Hernández went to track down the ball in right field, he felt tightness in his hamstring and adductor, leaving the game an inning later.

Hernández will get imaging Monday. The Dodgers will bring someone from Oklahoma City to Miami on Tuesday in case Hernández goes on the IL.

“He’s a guy that just doesn’t come out of games by way of injury,” Roberts said. “That’s a little concerning, given the person.”

For at least one day, it’ll create an opportunity for Kim. He’ll start Tuesday in center field.

(Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)

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