Kim celebrates memorable Dodgers victory alongside Ohtani.

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Starry-Eyed Debut: Hyeseong Kim's Memorable Encounter withShohei Ohtani

MIAMI - A magical moment unfolded at LoanDepot Park on Monday night when the Dodgers' newest sensation shared a pitch with his long-admired idol, Shohei Ohtani.

This heartwarming encounter, couldn't be more fitting, considering the traveled journey of our protagonist, Hyeseong Kim. For years, the charming 26-year-old from South Korea has gazed upon Ohtani, closely following the Japanese superstar's career, even while flourishing in the KBO League.

Their paths finally crossed this winter, as they found themselves training at the samefacility in California. Kim, representing Creative Artists Agency like Ohtani, was preparing for his own big-league leap. The Dodgers became his ultimate choice, despite offers with more financial security and regular playing time elsewhere. After all, the chance to play alongside the MLB's ace and the Dodgers' star-studded roster proved too enticing to resist.

Fast forward to Monday, and the often-overlooked Kim received his long-awaited opportunity to share a starting line-up with Ohtani, a first since joining the big leagues last week. In the fifth inning, Kim scored his first career hit, a single, setting the stage for Ohtani's towering home run.

The excitement was palpable as Ohtani returned from his trot, greeting Kim with an exuberant high-five near the on-deck circle. The camaraderie continued after in the dugout, with Ohtani showcasing his elation by placing his hands on Kim's helmet while jumping up and down.

"Even though he hit his home run, he celebrated for me, he gave me congratulations," Kim said through interpreter Joe Lee, smiling broadly after going two for four with a stolen base. "It was a great honor."

Ohtani echoed Kim’s sentiments, praising the newcomer for his impressive performance. "Really good, just overall."

The Dodgers' victory (7-4 over the Miami Marlins) was testament to the team's depth and unity. Freddie Freeman teed off with a homer, his 350th career bomb, while Mookie Betts, Andy Pages, and Teoscar Hernandez all chimed in with multiple hits.

Ben Casparius, the rookie right-hander, delivered four solid innings, compensating for the team's recent rotation injuries. Michael Conforto ended his abysmal slump by breaking a 30 at-bat hitless streak with a timely single.

But none of these accomplishments could overshadow the shining star of the night: Hyeseong Kim's captivating debut.

"I would say I'm still not comfortable with him, because he's a big star," Kim said with a laugh. "But he always asks questions, always talks to me. So that makes for a good adjustment and adapting."

Kim's journey to the MLB wasn't easy, marred by numerous twists and turns. Despite his impressive speed and strong defensive skills, transitioning to the high-velocity pitching of the majors demanded a complete overhaul of his swing. Early results were far from pretty, with Kim appearing overmatched at the plate during Cactus League play.

His exclusion from the Dodgers' opening Japan trip and demotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City left him searching for a breakthrough. However, rapid progress with his mechanics quickly ensued. He incorporated power from his lower half, maintained his knack for contact, and started hitting with authority.

"He just used to pop up out of the ground [on each swing], so he couldn't use the strength that he had," co-hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc said. "That was a big thing, but also just getting the overall swing more functional."

Kim's extraordinary improvements secured his call-up to the MLB when Tommy Edman sustained an injury. The initial plan was for a week-long audition, but the Dodgers saw enough and decided to extend his tenure.

Teoscar Hernandez's injury might spell an extended stay for Kim in the big leagues. The two players took some time to forge a bond, conversing almost daily in the clubhouse and synchronizing moves during batting practice.

Their rapport culminated in a thunderous performance against the Marlins. Kim showcased his potential, going the other way on both hits, stealing his second base of the series, and flashing slick defensive moves.

"For him to come in here, throw out a knock, get a couple hits, play good defense, it was just really exciting," said manager Dave Roberts. "He just adds that spark to our ballclub."

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Hyeseong Kim, born on January 27, 1999, in Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea, is a South Korean professional baseball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. His first name, "Hyeseong," translates to "comet" in a Korean dialect. Kim started his professional career in the KBO League, debuting on June 28, 2017, for the Nexen Heroes, which later became the Kiwoom Heroes. He is notable for being the only KBO player to have received the Golden Glove Award at both shortstop and second base positions. As of Kim's MLB debut, he had a batting average of .304 with 1,043 hits, 37 home runs, and 386 RBIs through the 2024 season in the KBO. Kim signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025 and made his MLB debut on May 3, 2025. As of early May 2025, Kim has displayed promising performance in the MLB, with a batting average of .417, though he has yet to hit a home run. Kim has expressed admiration for Shohei Ohtani.

Hyeseong Kim, originally from South Korea, was drawn to the environment of Los Angeles, California, where he joined the Dodgers, despite better financial offers and regular playing time elsewhere, since the MLB's ace and the Dodgers' star-studded roster, including Shohei Ohtani, proved too enticing to resist.
California, the training ground for both Hyeseong Kim and Shohei Ohtani, witnessed their paths crossing this winter, creating an unforgettable bond that transcended sports and continents.
In a memorable encounter, during a baseball game in Los Angeles, Hyeseong Kim shared a starting line-up with his long-admired idol, Shohei Ohtani, proving that their connection extended beyond the television screen and into the realm of reality.
Despite the high-velocity pitching of the majors presenting a significant challenge, Hyeseong Kim, hailing from the KBO League, showcased his resilience and adaptability, scoring his first career hit, a single, against the Miami Marlins, just as Ohtani launched a towering home run, a testament to their shared passion for sports and baseball.