San Francisco Giants' Lee Jung-hoo (27) is showcasing remarkable performances that completely erase the disappointments of his debut season.

Lee Jung-hoo is having an impressive season this year. He has a batting average of .315 (28 hits in 89 at-bats), 3 home runs, 15 RBIs, 20 runs, 3 stolen bases, and an OPS of .947 over 23 games. He is tied for first place in the Major League in doubles (10) with Pete Alonso (Mets) and is maintaining high rankings in various hitting metrics.

Having recorded a batting average of .340 over 884 KBO League games (1,181 hits in 3,476 at-bats), along with 65 home runs, 515 RBIs, 581 runs, and 69 stolen bases, Lee Jung-hoo excelled as Korea's top hitter. He successfully transitioned to Major League Baseball by signing a 6-year, $113 million contract (approximately 161.4 billion won) with San Francisco last season.

Lee Jung-hoo, who debuted in Major League Baseball last year amidst much expectation, had a somewhat disappointing season. He sustained a shoulder injury after colliding with a fence while playing defense, and ultimately underwent surgery, ending his season early. His debut season statistics showed a batting average of .262 (38 hits in 145 at-bats), 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, 15 runs, 2 stolen bases, and an OPS of .641.

However, this year Lee Jung-hoo is swinging vigorously from the start of the season, leading San Francisco's surge. Backed by Lee's hot batting, San Francisco has recorded 15 wins and 9 losses this season, with a winning percentage of .625, placing them 3rd in the National League West and 2nd in the National League Wild Card.

U.S. media outlet Sports Illustrated noted, "San Francisco has made significant strides, and at the center of it is outfielder Lee Jung-hoo."

"The San Francisco Giants are in a truly competitive division in Major League Baseball. And their success is being achieved in various ways," stated the outlet. It further commented, "Outfielder Lee Jung-hoo is making a big impact by showcasing diverse talents that help San Francisco maintain its 3rd position in the National League West."

Sports Illustrated said, "Lee Jung-hoo's power may be somewhat lacking, but thanks to his solid contact skills, San Francisco is gaining good opportunities for reaching base and advancing. He comes from the Korea Professional Baseball (KBO) League, which historically has seen players struggle to adapt in Major League Baseball, but Lee’s performance indicates that he is establishing himself as a valuable free agent player."

"Defensively, Lee Jung-hoo recorded 46 putouts. The defense he demonstrated in the 21 games he started is at a commendable level," evaluated Sports Illustrated. "Lee is nicknamed 'the grandson of the wind.' His speed may be a factor that keeps returning to this year's gameplay. His game carries high value, showcasing a high contact rate and low Samjin rate while demonstrating excellent speed and efficient defensive skills. He is expected to continue being a great asset to the team."

Performing well on both offense and defense, Lee Jung-hoo ranks very high in terms of WAR (Wins Above Replacement). According to the U.S. baseball statistics site Fangraphs, he is 9th among position players (1.3), and he ranks 7th (1.4) according to Baseball Reference. There are high expectations from fans regarding how Lee, who has made a very impressive start this season, will perform for the remainder of the season.

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