A Chat With a Bot…
I had a great conversation with a wise old sage about Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland. This old sage goes by the name of “AI”, and here was our conversation: Mark: What is the real story on why Hyeseong Kim was sent to the minors over Alex Freeland? AI: Short answer: this wasn’t…
I had a great conversation with a wise old sage about Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland. This old sage goes by the name of “AI”, and here was our conversation:
Mark: What is the real story on why Hyeseong Kim was sent to the minors over Alex Freeland?
AI: Short answer: this wasn’t about spring stats. It was about role fit, development path, and how the Dodgers think offense actually translates to MLB pitching.
Now let’s peel the onion…
The “real” reasons (beneath the box score)
1) They didn’t trust Kim’s bat yet
Yes, Hyeseong Kim hit .407 this spring… but the Dodgers basically shrugged and said: “cool… but can it survive 98 mph with ride?”
- Internal concern: handling high-velocity MLB pitching
- He also struck out 8 times in 27 ABs, which raised flags about swing decisions
Translation:
Spring Training is a funhouse mirror. The Dodgers think Kim’s contact quality might crack once the real bullets start flying.
2) Freeland fits the Dodgers’ offensive philosophy better (right now)
Freeland hit like a wet newspaper (.116), but the Dodgers care about something else:
- Walks, pitch counts, swing decisions
- He matched strikeouts with walks and consistently saw deep counts
- Staff explicitly liked his “at-bat quality” over raw results
Translation:
The Dodgers value hitters who grind pitchers into dust.
Freeland = annoying at-bats
Kim = more contact, but less proven approach vs MLB stuff
3) Playing time math (this is a big one)
This is the quiet killer.
- Kim would’ve been part-time in LA
- In Triple-A: everyday player, multiple positions
- Roberts basically said: he needs daily reps, not scraps
Translation:
The Dodgers didn’t want Kim sitting 3 days a week while trying to adjust to MLB pitching. That’s how prospects stall.
4) Roster timing + opportunity window
This is a classic Dodgers move.
- Tommy Edman is hurt, creating a temporary opening
- That opening might only last a few weeks
- Freeland gets a clean audition window right now
Translation:
They’re using April like a test lab:
- Freeland = “let’s see what we have”
- Kim = “you’re insurance, but we want you ready to stick when you come up”
5) Risk management (this part is underrated)
There’s a subtle roster chess move here:
- If Kim struggles in MLB → confidence hit + fewer options
- If he dominates AAA → comes up with momentum and a longer leash
Translation:
They’re protecting the asset.
So what’s the real story?
It’s not:
“Freeland beat Kim”
It’s closer to:
“Freeland fits a short-term role, Kim is a longer-term piece we don’t want to rush.”
My blunt read (you’ll appreciate this one)
If you strip away the PR language:
- The Dodgers trust Freeland’s approach more today
- They believe Kim has a higher ceiling but more risk vs MLB pitching
- And most importantly…
They want Kim’s next call-up to stick, not wobble
What happens next?
This has a very predictable Dodgers arc:
- Kim rakes in OKC for 3–6 weeks
- Someone in the infield slumps or gets dinged
- Kim comes up… and this time gets real runway
And then suddenly:
“Wow, where did this guy come from?”
Hyeseong Kim vs Alex Freeland — Who actually has the higher upside?
Hyeseong Kim — “The chaos engine with turbo legs”
What pops immediately
- 80-grade speed (legit game-breaking)
- Elite contact skills (KBO track record matters)
- Defensive versatility (2B/SS/CF type flexibility)
What the Dodgers see
Kim is a pressure player:
- Forces rushed throws
- Turns singles into doubles
- Creates run expectancy without needing power
Think:
high-contact + elite speed + defensive value = top-of-the-lineup weapon
The swing question (this is everything)
- Can he handle MLB velocity + spin combo?
- Does contact quality hold up against 95+ with ride?
If yes…
you’re looking at a .290 hitter with 40+ SB and elite defense
If no…
he becomes a bench/utility spark plug
Realistic upside comp
A slightly more electric version of:
- Ha-Seong Kim (but faster, less power)
Alex Freeland — “The grinder with a chess brain”
What pops immediately
- Advanced plate discipline
- High baseball IQ
- Solid across-the-board tools (no glaring hole)
What the Dodgers love
Freeland is a system hitter:
- Works counts
- Fouls off tough pitches
- Gets on base even when he’s not hitting
He’s the guy pitchers hate in the 7th inning when they’re at 92 pitches.
The limiter
- No standout tool
- Power is average-ish
- Speed is fine, not impactful
- He has a high floor, but lacks that “game-breaking” gear
Realistic upside comp
Something like:
- Chris Taylor (prime version, with more OBP focus)
My blunt verdict
If everything clicks:
Hyeseong Kim is the better player. Not close.
But…
Alex Freeland is more likely to give you usable MLB production right now
P.S. Does anyone see anything wrong with the AI-generated cover photo?
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Discussion (63)
Disagree, not disagreeable
That’s not Freeland.
… and Kim is batting RH. Never trust a bot…. 😉
I’m not sure Kim is better but I think it’s more likely Freeland improves.
LAST SPRING TRAINING GAME 8:10 PM ET MLB NETWORK Angels (72-90) (16-15-1) Dodgers (93-69) (20-8-2) SP Jack Kochanowicz R 0-0 .00 ERA SP Shohei Ohtani R 0-0 .00 ERA Confirmed Lineup DH S. Ohtani L RF Kyle Tucker L SS Mookie Betts R 1B F. Freeman L C Will Smith R 3B Max Muncy L LF T. Hernandez R CF Andy Pages R 2B A. Freeland S 75° Wind 7 mph Out
Yes, Kim is a left handed batter and Freeland is a switch hitter. Picture shows Kim as a right handed batter.Also Kim’s number was 6 instead of 7.
Like I said: Never trust a bot!
Kim is currently in the second year of a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers that runs through the 2027 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced a partnership with Red Bull on Tuesday, making the brand the Official Energy Drink Partner of the Dodgers.
Crow-Armstrong got a six-year extension from the Phillies. Joey Lucchesi signed with the Angels. He was with the Giants during spring training. Austin Slater signed a major league deal with the Marlins. Yankees traded Zack Short to the Nationals.
There it is
We also have a two-year option for ’28-’29 worth $9.5m that we need to exercise or decline after ’27.
Cubs will be very good in 2026. I’m looking forward to watching Freeland evolve.
I loved watching Mike Sirota bite his strap on his batting glove on every pitch during his spring training at bats. Actually it was sort of a cool nervous tic…
Highest exit velocity of that Futures game. Dude is a player.
Looking at Wrobo tonight, hard to believe Sasaki has the fifth spot.
Indeed Love me some Wrobo Ryan has a case too As does Hurt for pen Stay ready, boys
The AI take is quite fair. Freeland had a lot of SB in the minors but only had one in his freshman Dodger year and this ST. He will have to hit a lot better than .125 to stay up. And Kim needs to cut the Ks and continue to rake on the bases, and to play a solid defense. The Dodgers probably don’t expect either to be an all-star, but a solid platoon infielders. Not sure Kim or Freeland will get the MLB level pitching in AAA with high heat and movement he needs to progress but he will get the at bats. The first few months will tell which guy forces their hand.
Dodgers early season probables 3/26: Yoshinobu Yamamoto 3/27: Emmet Sheehan 3/28: Tyler Glasnow 3/29: Off day 3/30: Roki Sasaki 3/31: Shohei Ohtani 4/1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto 4/2: Off day 4/3: Emmet Sheehan 4/4: Tyler Glasnow 4/5: Roki Sasaki 4/6: Shohei Ohtani 4/7 Yoshinobu Yamamoto 4/8: Justin Wrobleksi* *Likely, or another spot starter The Dodgers should also get Blake Snell and Gavin Stone back later in the year, giving them even more quality rotation options.
Dodgers Place Seven Players On Injured List Ahead Of Opening Day “The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Tommy Edman, Blake Snell, Gavin Stone, Brusdar Graterol, Brock Stewart, Landon Knack and Bobby Miller on the injured list ahead of 2026 Opening Day. Edman was placed on the 10-day IL due to right ankle surgery, while Miller heads to the 60-day IL because of right shoulder soreness. Snell (Left shoulder fatigue), Stewart (right shoulder surgery), Stone (right shoulder inflammation), Graterol (right shoulder surgery), and Knack (unannounced) were all placed on the 15-day IL. All seven are retroactive to March 22. Miller’s placement on the 60-day IL opened a spot on the 40-man roster. That was used to sign Jake Cousins, who is also likely to end up on the 60-day IL.
“Cousins is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent on June 19, 2025, so he will likely be placed on the 60-day injured list soon. Given the recovery timeline, Cousins will miss most of the season and could return around July or later, as previous recovery timelines for relievers suggest. Cousins last pitched for the New York Yankees during the 2024 season, when he was one of their top arms out of the bullpen. He posted a 2.37 ERA across 38 innings while striking out 53 hitters compared to 20 walks”.
Cousins pitched 3 years with the Brewers and 1 with the Yankees and while he has had some injury problems, his career record is 90.2 IP/56 H/56 BB and 125 K’s. He is a perfect fit for the Dodger Pitching Machine. AF’ signs em’ cheap and stacks em’ deep!
Wrobo was outstanding last night: 4IP 0R 0ER 0H 0BB 5K. He was outstanding this Spring except for one bad outing.
Roki may make his first start … and we all know how that will go and then head to OKC with River Rollin into LA.
Keith Law, lover of good books and fine food, on prospects from the White Sox and Dodgers: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7139911/2026/03/23/mlb-prospect-scouting-los-angeles-dodgers-chicago-white-sox/?source=user_shared_article Positive stuff on Root, Tibbs and DePaula, but my pull quote has to be this gem: The biggest culprit was Dodgers right-hander Lucas Wepf — yes, W-E-P-F, as in “Jesus wepf when he saw this guy enter the game.” Wepf threw 17 pitches and two were strikes.
Shaikin has an interesting article, that may strike some as at odds with the Dodgers ticket pricing strategy: There is an official walking path to Dodger Stadium, from a nearby Metro station. The path is neglected and, in places, dangerous. Why don’t we have a landscaped Dodgers-themed path, with decorations, entertainment, food carts, shade, and lighting? https://x.com/billshaikin/status/2036837486136320154?s=46