Outfielder Lee Jung-hoo, known as 'the son of the wind' and currently playing for the San Francisco Giants, has been named among five Major League Baseball players to watch.
The American sports media outlet Yardbarker noted on the 23rd (Korean time) that "since the season has not even been a month since it started, it’s too early to make judgments, but there are already players who have been standing out with noticeable performances."
It continued, "Some may be a bubble, but there are players who have shown performances that make them hard to ignore so far," introducing five Major League Baseball players who must be watched this season.
The outlet reported regarding Lee Jung-hoo, "It may be hard to believe, but Lee Jung-hoo is currently ranked 5th in the entire Major League Baseball WAR at 1.4. This achievement came in just 22 games."
It added, "After playing six years in the Korea Baseball Organization, Lee Jung-hoo signed with San Francisco but could only appear in 37 games last year due to left shoulder surgery. However, making a healthy return this season, he is showcasing an overwhelming presence in the team's lineup with a batting average of .329 and an OPS of 0.983. Lee Jung-hoo cannot be excluded as one of the reasons for the current resurgence of San Francisco."
Yardbarker mentioned Detroit Tigers infielder Spencer Torkelson, saying, "Torkelson, who was selected first overall in 2020, has shown a lot of inconsistency since his debut. In 2023, he hit 31 home runs, but his career stats show an OPS of 0.712 and only 56 career home runs." It continued, "However, this season is different. In the first 23 games, he has shown a clear rebound with an OPS of 1.011 and 7 home runs. If he continues this trend, it will be a huge success for Detroit."
New York Yankees infielder Ben Rojas has also been included among five players to watch in Major League Baseball. The outlet stated, "Rojas has been impressive in the early part of the season, hitting 5 home runs with an OPS of 0.988 in 20 games." Moreover, it noted, "With Juan Soto's departure creating a gap in strength, the Yankees are looking to Rojas as an excellent alternative while they deal with the struggles of Jason Dominguez."
The outlet particularly highlighted that Rojas’s versatility in playing various positions such as designated hitter, first baseman, and catcher is expected to support Aaron Judge.
Oakland Athletics infielder Jacob Wilson and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh also made the list. The outlet described Wilson as "literally a 'hitting machine.' In the early part of the season, he is recording a batting average of .354 with an on-base percentage of .354, slugging percentage of .500, and OPS of .854 over 21 games. He has only hit 2 home runs so far but has already amassed a WAR close to 1 due to his precise bat control and stable defense." It stated, "Although he lacks power, we expect a top season in a hitter-friendly environment."
Yardbarker referred to Raleigh, stating, "There’s a reason they call him 'Big Dumper.' He currently holds the franchise record for most home runs by a catcher and is the second in franchise history to achieve 100 home runs in the fewest games. He is also tied for first in the league in home runs (9)." It further noted, "Raleigh quietly registered over 30 home runs for several years and hit 27 home runs in 2022, showing consistent power by hitting over 30 home runs in both 2023 and last year."
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