Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim Earns Praise After Dominant Triple-A Start

Broadcaster Nomar Garciaparra says Kim will be back in the majors soon if he keeps up his hot hitting.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:11am

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Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Hyeseong Kim is off to a blistering start in Triple-A, hitting .364 with 2 RBIs over his first 5 games. Dodgers analyst Nomar Garciaparra praised Kim's performance, saying he will force the team's hand and earn a call-up to the majors if he keeps producing at such a high level in the minors.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' offense has struggled to start the season, so Kim's hot hitting in the minors could earn him a quick return to the big leagues if the major league club continues to sputter at the plate.

The details

Kim, a 2025 World Series champion with the Dodgers, was sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City to start the season despite an impressive spring training. In his first 5 games in the minors, he's hitting .364 with 2 RBIs, forcing the Dodgers' hand according to Garciaparra. The Dodgers opted to keep Alex Freeland on the Opening Day roster over Kim, but Freeland has only 6 at-bats so far this season.

  • Kim was sent down to Triple-A to start the 2026 season.
  • Kim has played 5 games so far in Triple-A, hitting .364 with 2 RBIs.

The players

Hyeseong Kim

A second-year Dodgers prospect who won a World Series with the team in 2025 and is currently dominating in Triple-A.

Nomar Garciaparra

A Dodgers broadcaster who praised Kim's performance in the minors and said he will force his way back to the majors soon.

Alex Freeland

A Dodgers player who made the Opening Day roster over Kim but has only 6 at-bats so far this season.

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What they’re saying

“When you're down in the minor leagues, you're supposed to do exactly what [Kim and Tibbs] are doing. They're supposed to make us talk about them, and the media talk about them, because they are doing the job, getting the job done, and you force the MLB's hand.”

— Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers Broadcaster

“Hyeseong Kim has already proven that he can play at the big league level and he made an impact last year. We saw that. And now, going down there, he had an unbelievable spring. You want to continue making us talk about that. You keep doing what you're doing and he's going to be up here in no time.”

— Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers Broadcaster

What’s next

If the Dodgers' offensive struggles continue, they may call up Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A to provide a spark.

The takeaway

Kim's hot start in the minors has put the Dodgers on notice, and he could force his way back to the majors soon if he keeps producing at such a high level in Triple-A.