Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-seong will start the season in the minor leagues despite batting over .400 in spring training.
The Dodgers announced on March 22 (local time) that Kim will be sent to Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Comets.
This makes it likely that Kim will open the season in Triple-A for the second consecutive year.
The decision is a disappointment for Kim. He appeared in nine spring training games, recording hits in every game with a .407 batting average (11-for-27), along with one home run, six RBIs, and five stolen bases.
However, he failed to make the 26-man opening day roster for the MLB regular season.
The Dodgers' official website noted that the move increases the likelihood that Alex Freeland, who had been competing with Kim for the starting second base position, will be included on the opening roster.
Freeland's spring training numbers were considerably weaker: a .116 batting average (5-for-43) with one home run and seven RBIs across 18 games.
The OPS gap between the two players is significant—Kim posted .967 compared to Freeland's .519.
According to the Dodgers' website, the organization determined that Kim's swing requires adjustments.
Kim struck out eight times in 27 at-bats during spring training.
While Freeland also recorded 11 strikeouts, those came over 43 at-bats. The walk differential was also notable: Kim drew just one walk compared to Freeland's 11.
The MLB regular season opens on March 26. The Dodgers will play their first regular season game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27.