Kim Hyeseong's demotion to AAA sparks strong dissatisfaction among Korean media, criticizing the decision as extreme discrimination and "absurd."

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they are demoting Korean infielder Kim Hyeseong to AAA, meaning he will start the season in the minor leagues for the second consecutive year, a decision that has sparked strong dissatisfaction among Korean media.

Due to the main infielder Tommy Edman undergoing offseason surgery on his right ankle and starting the season on the injury list, the second base position became vacant, with Kim Hyeseong and Alex Freeland emerging as the main contenders.

Kim Hyeseong left the team temporarily to represent Korea in the World Baseball Classic. This spring training, he played only 9 games but delivered an impressive performance: 11 hits in 27 at-bats, a batting average of .407, and 5 stolen bases. In contrast, Freeland had only 5 hits in 43 at-bats over 18 games, a batting average of .116, with 1 home run and 7 RBIs. Statistically, Kim clearly outperformed him.

Regarding the final decision, manager Dave Roberts admitted, "This was a very difficult choice," explaining that the main consideration was to allow Kim Hyeseong to play regularly six days a week in the minor leagues, accumulate more plate appearances, and gain opportunities to defend multiple positions. The team also believed that due to his absence from part of spring training for the Classic, he needed more actual game time to adjust his condition.

However, this decision has sparked strong质疑 from Korean media. Sports Chosun pointed out, "Even if we can understand Kim Hyeseong's demotion to AAA, it is hard to accept that the player who beat him out had a spring training batting average of just over .100." Another report criticized, "This is differential treatment without principles or standards, making the spring training competition meaningless."

Sports Chosun also published an article titled "Kim Hyeseong faces extreme discrimination! Is he being discriminated against just because he joined the Korean Classic national team? This player with a batting average as high as .400 faces the absurd fate of being demoted to the minor leagues."

OSEN reported with the headline "Kim Hyeseong's demotion causes shock... Why is a player with a .400 batting average demoted, while a batter with only .160 is given a major league opportunity?" expressing shock and不解 at this personnel decision.

SPOTV News reported with "To develop 'weak-hitting' Freeland, sacrificing utility player Kim Hyeseong who has a .400 batting average? This is simply an absurd demotion notice."