Jung Hoo Lee and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a six-year, $113 million contract, the most money ever paid to an Asian-born batter in Major League Baseball.
Korean Baseball Royalty
Jung Hoo Lee, a Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) star with a strong lineage, has a remarkable guarantee record. He was initially linked to the San Diego Padres but was reportedly signed by the Giants after Shohei Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers.
While on a different level than Ohtani, Judge, or Correa, Lee delivers consistency to the plate as well as a strong left-handed bat. Throughout his KBO career, he had a batting average above 300 every season and a lifetime average of.340. Despite missing the whole 2023 season due to a damaged left ankle, Lee had a.318/.406/.455 slash line with six home runs and 45 RBIs in just 86 games.
Elite Contact and Versatility
Given his outstanding contact skills and versatile playing style, Lee’s move to the majors is expected to be seamless. Lee’s broad stance and sophisticated hitting mechanics position him as a future star, despite striking out only 5.4% of the time over the last two seasons, significantly below the KBO and MLB norms. Evaluators believe his comeback from ankle surgery will determine his playing position, with some expecting him to play center field and others predicting him to play right field.
Giants’ Vision for Lee
Despite worries about Lee’s power and ground ball percentage, the Giants see him as a future All-Star candidate at the age of 25, when he is still in his prime. He might become a top-of-the-order hitter with a fantastic batting average and above-average on-base percentage, avoiding the learning curve that the last Korean star of the MLB, Ha-Seong Kim, experienced.
Kim’s Journey and Comparisons
In light of Kim’s problems with the Padres in 2021, Lee hopes to get ahead of the learning curve and make an instant impact with the Giants. Kim’s steady progression over the previous two seasons demonstrates the adaptations necessary for Korean players migrating to the MLB, displaying a combination of power and consistency.
With the signing of Jung Hoo Lee, the Giants begin a new chapter, betting on a rising star with the ability to transform the dynamics of their team and leave a lasting impression on Major League Baseball.
FAQs
What is the value and duration of Jung Hoo Lee’s contract with the San Francisco Giants?
Jung Hoo Lee signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Which team was initially linked to Jung Hoo Lee before he signed with the San Francisco Giants?
Jung Hoo Lee was initially linked to the San Diego Padres before signing with the San Francisco Giants.
What is Jung Hoo Lee’s batting average throughout his Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) career?
Throughout his KBO career, Jung Hoo Lee had a batting average above 300 every season and a lifetime average of .340.
How did Jung Hoo Lee perform in the 2023 season, considering he missed some games due to a damaged left ankle?
Despite missing the whole 2023 season due to a damaged left ankle, Lee had a .318/.406/.455 slash line with six home runs and 45 RBIs in just 86 games.
What position are the San Francisco Giants considering for Jung Hoo Lee, and what factors will determine his playing position?
Evaluators believe Jung Hoo Lee’s comeback from ankle surgery will determine his playing position, with some expecting him to play center field and others predicting him to play right field.