Hieseong Kim reveals the reason for the Dodgers jersey number

Trea Turner spent less than two full seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgersbut was influential enough to inspire former KBO star Hyesong Kim to choose 6 as his jersey number.

Kim, who signed with the Dodgers from Korea, Turner said was his favorite player as a Dodger in 2021 and 2022.

“I hope I can also play well wearing the same number as Trea Turner“, he told Jeeho Yoo of the Korean news agency Yonhap.

Turner came to Los Angeles along with Max Schetzer at the 2021 trade deadline, where he hit .338 over the final 52 games of the season to help the Dodgers reach the National League Championship Series. He returned in 2022, hitting .298 with 21 home runs and an .809 OPS before leaving for the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency.

Kim added that he grew up watching Korean players Chan Ho Park and Hyun-Jin Ryu play for the Dodgers, which contributed to why he chose Los Angeles.

“The Dodgers are a great team, and I grew up watching them play a lot because of the Korean players there,” added Kim, who will be 26 on Opening Day. “It will be an honor to make my major league debut with a club I’ve watched on TV.” I want it to happen as soon as possible. My immediate goal is to make the opening roster.”

Hieseong Kim brings speed and a powerful bat to the Dodgers

While comparing the player’s KBA numbers to what he could produce in the Major Leagues is hardly a 1:1 comparison, Kim’s performance for the Kivum Heroes certainly bodes well. Last season he hit .326 with 30 steals and 11 home runs in 127 games in 2024.

It was the fourth year in a row that Kim hit .300 or better. He’s been in the league since he was 18 and has had at least 20 stolen bases every year since his age-19 season.

“Since it’s my first year, I thought I’d have to fight for my time no matter where I finished,” Kim said of his need to prove himself in the big leagues. “Eventually, I decided to try to do it on the Dodgers.”

Kim spent most of his career at second base, but also saw significant time at shortstop. He is a three-time KBO Gold Glove winner at two positions.

With Gavin Lux now with the Cincinnati RedsKim gives the Dodgers added versatility, protecting against injuries and allowing the team’s established stars to rest occasionally.

Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A lifelong baseball and basketball player, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next and more. He graduated from NIU in 2012 and still returns to serve as the announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.