After starting the 2025 season in the minor leagues, Hyeseong Kim has worked his way onto the Los Angeles Dodgers roster. While injuries certainly helped his case, his performance has been impressive as well.
The 26-year-old is doing everything possible to prove he deserves to be an everyday player for the reigning World Series Champions, and he recently discussed his decision to sign with the team.
Why Did Kim Pass Up a Guaranteed MLB Spot With the Angels?
The Los Angeles Angels were in the running to sign Hyeseong Kim, but he chose instead to sign a three-year, $12.5 million contract to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As the 2024 World Series Champion, Kim was well aware of the difference between the Angels organization and their crosstown rivals.
For Kim, there was one significant factor in the Angels’ contract offer that didn’t sit right with him. “If I had signed with the Angels, I wouldn’t have been sent down to the minors because my contract included a no minor league clause,” he said.
Hyeseong Kim explains why he joined the Dodgers instead of the Angels:
“It didn’t matter whether the contract included a minor league opt-out clause or not… I wanted to be a part of the Dodgers, considered the best team in the world.”
🎥: SBS pic.twitter.com/fxIWfEjNvt
— Hyeseong Kim Muse 김혜성 (@HyeseongKimMuse) May 29, 2025
“But had I joined the Angels and underperformed, I think being sent to the minors would’ve been fair. How could I use my opt-out clause? Of course, I’d want to use it to avoid being sent down. It didn’t matter whether the contract included a minor league opt-out clause or not,” Kim further added.
How Has Kim Performed Since Joining the Dodgers Organization?
In the minors with the Dodgers, Kim hit .252 in 115 at-bats. He appeared in 28 games for the Dodgers’ AAA affiliate, hitting five home runs and stealing 13 bases. Kim’s speed is clearly a major asset, though he’s only managed to steal four bases since his promotion to the major leagues.
Kim continued, “So, putting aside the minor league opt-out clause, when I compared the Angels and Dodgers, I wanted to be a part of the Dodgers, considered the best team in the world. I didn’t worry about depth or any of that. I just thought I’d go there, face the challenge, and give it my all. Since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I made a bold choice.”
It’s notable that Kim characterized his decision as a “bold choice.” In today’s MLB landscape, the Dodgers utilize deferred contracts that allow them to spread player payments over the next 20 years, an opportunity many smaller-market teams simply don’t have. Kim’s “bold choice” was signing with the reigning World Series champions, a team positioned to return to the postseason in 2025.
The Dodgers have a long history of developing international talent, from Fernando Valenzuela to Hideo Nomo to Hyun-Jin Ryu. Kim joins this prestigious lineage as he attempts to establish himself in Major League Baseball.
Whether Kim secures a permanent spot on the Dodgers’ roster remains to be seen, but his willingness to bet on himself rather than accept guaranteed major league time speaks volumes about his confidence and competitive drive.