Lee Jung-hoo vs Kim Hye-sung, KBO best friends meet in MLB! Everything about the American version of the rivalry.

안녕하세요. 오늘은 이정후 선수와 김혜성 선수의 특별한 만남에 대해 이야기해 보려고 합니다. 두 선수는 KBO에서 오랜 시간 함께했던 친구이자, 이제는 MLB에서 각자의 팀을 위해 경쟁하게 되었습니다. 이들의 첫 번째 공식 대결은 한국 야구 팬들에게 큰 의미를 지니며, 미국 무대에서 펼쳐질 이 특별한 라이벌리를 많은 분들이 주목하고 있습니다. 그럼 본문에서 바로 이어서 살펴보죠.

Significance of the KBO Friends Rivalry in MLB

Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) and Kim Hye-sung (LA Dodgers), both born in 1998 and former teammates in KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes, will finally face off in an official match on American soil. The two players, who each entered Major League Baseball in 2024 and 2025, will have their first official regular-season matchup from June 14 to 16, 2025, at Dodger Stadium during a three-game series in the National League West. This game holds symbolic significance for Korean baseball fans, as it marks the first face-off between the two stars on the American stage.

Team Situations and Game Outlook

• The Dodgers (41 wins, 28 losses) and Giants (40 wins, 29 losses) are competing for 1st and 2nd place in the West, so the results of this three-game series could change their rankings.
• In their last 10 games, the Giants have performed better with 7 wins and 3 losses compared to the Dodgers’ 5 wins and 5 losses, but the Giants face physical strain from traveling and playing away games.

Recent Performances and Outlook for Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung

• Lee Jung-hoo (Giants): He is performing as a leadoff hitter with a batting average of .275, 6 home runs, 41 runs, 32 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, and an OPS of .776. His hitting has been on the rise in June with increased extra-base hits and walks.
• Kim Hye-sung (Dodgers): Despite being in his debut season, he has shown impressive performance in offense, defense, and base running. There is a possibility he may be excluded from the lineup against left-handed starters, but since the Game 1 starter is right-handed Logan Webb, his chances of playing are high.

Local and Player Reactions, Outlook

Both players expressed that “it is special to face each other on different teams,” placing more importance on their long-standing friendship and new experiences rather than competitiveness. Local media, including MLB.com, have highlighted that “the first matchup between these two players from KBO to MLB is very special.” This series is garnering significant attention from both the Korean and American baseball communities, not only for the team rankings but also as the first official matchup of KBO friends on the American stage. With the presence of Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung, the Giants-Dodgers rivalry is expected to become even more exciting.