Dodgers News: Alex Freeland And Hyeseong Kim Battling For Roster Spot

"As we've put together this roster, those two guys were two guys that we were really thinking about. Makes sense, being left-handed and for our roster. Each of them have their own unique strengths relative to the other. Kim brings explosiveness that elevates all other aspects of his game and has outfield versatility. On the other hand, Freeland's strengths are plate discipline, knowledge of the zone and a swing that produces a lot of contact."

"Kim left Dodgers camp after four games to participate in the World Baseball Classic, but was the clear leader when leaving. The 27-year-old had six hits in 13 at-bats, including a home run. He did not have the same results in the WBC, with just one hit in 12 at-bats. Kim has rebounded slightly since returning from the WBC, with two hits in six at-bats."

"While neither has been perfect, both have skill sets that can help the Dodgers win games in 2026. Kim still figures to be the favorite to open the season on the Dodgers roster, however, given his added versatility and ability to be a pinch runner off the bench."

The Los Angeles Dodgers face roster decisions as the regular season approaches, particularly regarding the second base position following Tommy Edman's offseason ankle procedure. Alex Freeland and Hyeoseong Kim are competing for consistent playing time. Kim demonstrated strong early spring performance with six hits in 13 at-bats before departing for the World Baseball Classic, where he struggled with one hit in 12 at-bats. Upon returning, Kim has shown slight improvement. Freeland possesses excellent plate discipline and zone knowledge but has experienced inconsistent contact quality recently. Both players offer distinct strengths: Kim provides explosiveness and outfield versatility, while Freeland excels in contact production. Kim remains the favorite to open the season due to his added versatility and bench value as a pinch runner.

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