In their opening game of the series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Los Angeles Dodgers surprised fans by announcing a starting lineup missing two notable names: Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland. This decision was not only a short-term tactical move but also clearly reflected the team’s long-term strategy for the 2026 season.
According to information from the game on May 1st, the Dodgers entered the second month of the season with an away game against the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series. This was a crucial time for the team to maintain their momentum after an impressive start.
However, instead of continuing to use the Kim-Freeland duo in the paint, the coaching staff decided to drop both from the starting lineup.
This opened up opportunities for other more flexible and experienced options, aiming to optimize offensive capabilities against an opponent with a fairly consistent pitching record like the Cardinals.
Hyeseong Kim’s absence wasn’t a complete shock, but it was still controversial.
The South Korean player had a fierce competition for a starting spot since spring training. He was even relegated to Triple-A to make way for Freeland before being called back.
However, Kim has shown considerable potential whenever given the opportunity. Recent performances have shown he can contribute both with his batting ability and base speed. But in a star-studded roster, consistency and tactical flexibility are sometimes more important than fleeting form.
Meanwhile, Alex Freeland – the young talent who surprised everyone by making the Opening Day roster – is facing significant pressure. Despite being highly regarded for his batting control and potential, Freeland has yet to truly prove his worth at the MLB level.
The decision to leave out both Kim and Freeland in this game shows that coach Dave Roberts is prioritizing safer options, especially in important road games. Veteran or more versatile players were likely chosen to ensure a balance between offense and defense.
Beyond form, this is also a tactical issue. The Dodgers possess an extremely deep roster with stars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith, making rotation a necessity. In this context, young players like Kim and Freeland often have to accept a reserve role or be dropped from the lineup depending on the matchup.
Another noteworthy point is how the Dodgers are handling the competition for second base and shortstop positions. Since the beginning of the season, this has been a fiercely contested area, with no one truly dominating. The constant personnel changes show that the coaching staff is still in the process of finding the optimal solution.
Despite being left out of the lineup for this game, Kim and Freeland’s opportunities are far from over. The MLB season is long, and there’s always room for comebacks. A single injury, a dip in form, or simply a suitable matchup could allow both to return and make their mark.
In short, the Dodgers’ decision wasn’t just a simple lineup selection for a game; it was a statement of their operating philosophy: prioritizing immediate efficiency, leveraging roster depth, and not hesitating to rotate to maintain an advantage. And in that demanding environment, young talents like Kim and Freeland must patiently wait for their chance – or create it themselves.