Dodgers Make Bold Lineup Change Pairing Tommy Edman With Hyeseong Kim Hoping To Boost Infield Versatility And Offensive Production

The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to making aggressive moves aimed at keeping their roster among the most feared in Major League Baseball. That mentality has once again taken center stage as the Dodgers have officially shuffled their lineup, pairing newly acquired Tommy Edman with Korean star Hyeseong Kim in an effort to inject versatility, defensive prowess, and consistent contact hitting into their already stacked infield.

The move comes at a pivotal time in the Dodgers’ 2025 season, with the club locked in a tightly contested National League West race against familiar foes like the San Diego Padres and the surging San Francisco Giants. Injuries, inconsistencies, and the natural grind of a 162-game season have made it clear that even the Dodgers — armed with one of the deepest rosters in baseball — aren’t immune to needing midseason tweaks. The decision to overhaul the lineup structure with Edman and Kim occupying key roles reflects both necessity and long-term vision.

Tommy Edman, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in an under-the-radar trade earlier this season, brings a reputation as one of baseball’s most reliable utility players. Known for his defensive versatility, elite baserunning, and ability to switch-hit effectively, Edman instantly gives manager Dave Roberts more lineup flexibility. The Dodgers have experimented with him across second base, shortstop, and center field since his arrival, but it’s clear that his primary home — at least for the foreseeable future — will be solidifying the infield alongside Hyeseong Kim.

Kim, one of the Dodgers’ most exciting offseason signings, came to Los Angeles following a standout career in the KBO and an impressive transition to Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres. His combination of elite glove work, quickness, and improved offensive output caught the Dodgers’ attention for years before finally prying him away during free agency. Though Kim initially slotted into the lineup as a utility infielder with spot starts around the diamond, his production and poise have forced the Dodgers’ hand — he’s earned an everyday role.

The newly configured lineup sees Edman frequently batting in the two-hole, right behind Mookie Betts and ahead of Freddie Freeman, while Kim settles into the lower half of the order, providing depth and contact in crucial situations. But beyond the batting order itself, the real value lies in how this pairing transforms the Dodgers’ infield defense and overall style of play.

For a team often defined by its power bats, home runs, and marquee superstars, the addition of Edman and Kim adds a refreshing layer of small ball capability, defensive stability, and situational baseball intelligence. Both players excel at working counts, putting the ball in play, and making life difficult for opposing pitchers with their speed and awareness on the bases.

Statistically, Edman’s impact has been immediate. Since joining the Dodgers, he’s hitting .288 with a .355 on-base percentage, seven stolen bases, and a handful of key defensive plays that have already saved runs. More importantly, his ability to handle both middle infield spots and roam the outfield provides Roberts with endless substitution options depending on matchups, pitcher tendencies, and injury management.

Hyeseong Kim’s numbers, meanwhile, continue to trend upward. After a modest start to the season, Kim has raised his average to .273, flashed sneaky power with six home runs, and remained a constant threat on the basepaths with 14 steals. His glove has been every bit as advertised, with highlight-reel plays becoming a near-daily occurrence, particularly when paired up the middle with Edman.

The ripple effects of this infield alignment also alleviate pressure on other Dodgers’ regulars. With Edman and Kim handling significant defensive responsibilities, players like Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, and Chris Taylor can rotate through roles with more rest days or specific situational assignments. It keeps the entire roster fresher and enhances the Dodgers’ late-game strategic options — areas where they’ve historically thrived under Roberts’ leadership.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this shift is the subtle change in identity it brings to the Dodgers. While the team remains capable of bashing its way to victories with Betts, Freeman, Will Smith, and Shohei Ohtani providing thunder, the presence of Edman and Kim hints at a more balanced approach. Speed, defense, contact hitting, and tactical aggression are now as prominent as slugging percentage in shaping the Dodgers’ blueprint for success.

Opposing teams are already noticing. The Padres, in particular, have firsthand experience dealing with both players — Kim as their former star, and Edman as a longtime NL Central headache with the Cardinals. The early returns suggest that this combination of steady gloves and pesky at-bats is exactly what the Dodgers needed to shore up areas that, while not weaknesses, demanded improvement to remain championship contenders.

Of course, this lineup change isn’t without its skeptics. Some fans and analysts have questioned whether Edman and Kim, both of whom profile as contact-first players rather than power threats, diminish the Dodgers’ traditional long-ball potency. In a league increasingly driven by home runs and slugging percentage, emphasizing small ball could appear antiquated. But Roberts and the front office have made it clear — versatility and run prevention are just as critical as power numbers when chasing titles.

The timing of the move also reflects the organization’s calculated approach to roster evolution. Rather than waiting for the trade deadline or risking further defensive lapses, the Dodgers acted decisively, signaling both urgency and confidence in the skill sets Edman and Kim bring. It’s a move that prioritizes October readiness over regular-season highlight reels — a philosophy that has defined the team’s sustained excellence in recent years.

Looking ahead, the success of this lineup adjustment may ultimately hinge on health, chemistry, and production in key situations. If Edman and Kim continue to stabilize the defense, wreak havoc on the bases, and contribute quality at-bats, the Dodgers could find themselves with one of baseball’s most complete rosters heading into the stretch run.

It’s also a testament to the front office’s willingness to adapt, recognizing that winning championships requires more than just star power. The Dodgers, flush with MVP-caliber talents, understand that gritty, adaptable players like Edman and Kim are the connective tissue that transforms a talented team into a title-winning machine.

While it remains to be seen how this strategy will unfold come playoff time, the early signs are promising. Fans at Dodger Stadium have quickly embraced Edman’s hustle and Kim’s electrifying defensive flair, both of which energize the ballpark in ways that transcend statistics. It’s a reminder that baseball, despite its analytics-driven evolution, remains a game of heart, instincts, and moments of brilliance — all of which Edman and Kim deliver.

In the unforgiving NL West, where every series feels like a postseason audition, the Dodgers know they can’t afford complacency. By elevating Edman and Kim within the lineup and trusting their unique skill sets, they’ve taken a bold step toward solidifying both their present stability and postseason aspirations.

Only time will reveal whether this calculated gamble propels the Dodgers to another World Series appearance, but one thing is certain: with Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim anchoring the infield, the Dodgers are more dangerous, more dynamic, and more difficult to predict than ever before.