Just when Dodgers fans thought the lineup had finally found its spark, Dave Roberts pulled the plug. In a move that felt more like a plot twist than strategy, the skipper sat one of his hottest hitters—yes, that guy. The same one earning $12.5 million to light a fire under L.A.’s offense. Now, instead of celebrating wins, fans are left scratching their heads.
Give my K-Pop star more playing time, Roberts. Since the introduction of Hyeseong Kim to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, he has been very good and has been getting on base with every given chance. But his time on the field is very low, and that has fans questioning Dave Roberts. In the recent live stream by the Dodgers Nation YouTube Channel, it talked about why Kim deserves to be given more chances.
The host said, “The Comet needs more play time. The Comet should be starting more games. He should be getting more at-bats… He was big time in this one, once again. With runners on the corners, Hyeseong Kim at the plate, he triples to right, and that scores Will Smith and Tommy Edman.”
Since joining the Dodgers on May 3, Kim has been nothing short of electric. He’s slashing an eye-popping .404/.436/.558 across 52 at-bats, with a .994 OPS. Add in seven RBIs, five stolen bases, and two home runs, and Kim’s impact is undeniable. Whether legging out infield hits or flashing the glove, he’s injected much-needed life into L.A.’s lineup.
Though manager Roberts applauded Kim’s energy, competitiveness, and joy, his actions must match his words. Taking him off, like against the Cardinals, sends the wrong message to a surging team. Kim’s defense at second base is elite, and his speed adds pressure to opposing pitchers. Keeping him out of the lineup wastes both momentum and a red-hot bat.
With Tommy Edman back, center field is his best fit, freeing second base for Kim daily. Miguel Rojas can rotate in, but the job belongs to Kim until further notice. It’s time Roberts should lean into Kim’s spark before the team’s inconsistency dims it. The Dodgers need production, and right now, Kim’s the one delivering it.
So here’s a thought, Mr. Roberts—maybe don’t bench the guy hitting over .400 with wheels and potential Gold Gloves. Kim isn’t just surviving in MLB; he’s styling on it. The fans see it, the numbers scream it, and even YouTube hosts are spelling it out. At this point, keeping Kim out of the lineup is like hiding your best dish from a starving table. If you’re not starting The Comet, are you even trying to win?
Dodgers fans want Dave Roberts to back Hyeseong Kim like they do
At some point, the Dodgers need to stop treating common sense like a luxury. And Roberts, well, he might want to start listening to the people who actually watch the games. When fans are backing a player harder than the manager who writes the lineup card, something’s off. This isn’t a vibe check, Dave—it’s a wake-up call from Dodger Nation, and it’s getting louder by the inning.
Kim is batting .404 with a .994 OPS—among the best on the Dodgers roster. He’s sparked rallies, stolen bases, and delivered clutch hits in just 52 at-bats. Fans know it, stats prove it, but Roberts keeps playing rotation roulette. One fan nailed it: “It’s malpractice from Roberts at this point not to play Kim every day!”
Kim has a .558 slugging and five stolen bases—he’s producing every way imaginable. Meanwhile, Michael Conforto owns a sub-.700 OPS and continues getting starts against lefties. Kim’s energy changes games, but Roberts benches him the moment a southpaw shows up. As one fan put it: “If I’m a Dodgers opponent, I just start a lefty because you know Doc will sit Kim yet still trot out Conforto… It’s crazy at this point.”
Kim went 3-for-4 with a triple on June 2, then sat the next day. On May 29, he went 2-for-4 with a homer—Roberts still pulled him mid-game. He brings elite speed, yet rides the bench. As one fan said: “It’s actually amazing that Kim stays hot and goes 2-4 or 3-4 when Roberts keeps benching him after every game (even middle of the game where Kim hits a homer).”
His .994 OPS and five steals scream “playmaker,” yet Roberts keeps ignoring the sirens. One frustrated fan nailed it: “More than 60 at-bats, Kim still maintains over .4XX. and has speed. Why not Roberts give him a more chance? Why not? Anybody explain to me why not?”
Kim has five steals, and elite contact—Conforto, meanwhile, is slugging just .348. On May 31, Kim went 3-for-4 with two runs. Conforto struck out twice in the same game. The difference is obvious, yet Kim rides the bench while Conforto stays locked in. One fan summed it up: “If Conforto is batting less than 190 after All-Star break, Dodgers need to bench him and give Kim the full-time job.”
At some point, someone has to say it—this isn’t load management, it’s lineup malpractice. You’ve got a guy with a near-1.000 OPS being treated like a bench warmer, while a .600s bat gets penciled in like clockwork. The numbers are screaming, the fans are begging, and the only one not hearing it is Dave Roberts. If this is a strategy, it’s written in invisible ink. Play Kim—or at least stop pretending Conforto is the answer.
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