Lee Jung-hoo (27) of the San Francisco Giants has emerged as the most beloved player in San Francisco, showcasing performances that help forget the disappointments of his debut season.
On the 25th (Korean time), Lee started as the third center fielder in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, recording 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 run, and 2 walks in 3 at-bats.
With Milwaukee leading 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning with one out and runners on second base, Lee entered his first at-bat and hit a tying RBI double off left-handed starting pitcher Tobias Myers' first pitch at 93.6 miles per hour (150.6 km). The batted ball had a speed of 99.6 miles per hour (160.3 km). He then completed a game with 3 times on base by drawing straight walks. The San Francisco team achieved a come-from-behind victory of 6-5.
Lee recorded a batting average of .304 over 884 games in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with 1,181 hits in 3,476 at-bats, 65 home runs, 515 RBIs, 581 runs, and 69 stolen bases, showcasing himself as the best hitter in Korea. Last season, he entered Major League Baseball with a six-year contract worth $113 million (approximately 162.4 billion won) with San Francisco under high expectations, but suffered a shoulder injury that led him to end the season early, recording a batting average of .262 with 38 hits in 145 at-bats, 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, 15 runs, 2 stolen bases, and an OPS of .641.
Leaving behind the regrets of his debut season, Lee is preparing for his second-year season and is making surprising performances in the early part of the season. He has emerged as one of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball, recording a batting average of .333 with 32 hits in 96 at-bats, 3 home runs, 16 RBIs, 22 runs, 3 stolen bases, and an OPS of .981. In this game, he added his 11th double of the season, tying for the lead in doubles in Major League Baseball along with Pete Alonso (Mets).
U.S. media Sports Illustrated noted, "The San Francisco Giants are continuing to play well to catch up with the leaders of the National League West. With a record of 17 wins and 9 losses, the Giants are one of the most surprising teams in Major League Baseball this year," adding, "The team's improvement is thanks to the good starts of several players. Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly wrote that the best news for Giants fans is the performance of second-year outfielder Lee Jung-hoo," highlighting Lee's performance.
Kelly emphasized, "Lee Jung-hoo missed his first Major League season due to a shoulder injury. However, he is making up for lost time in his second season." Sports Illustrated also stated, "Lee Jung-hoo missed much of last year due to shoulder surgery, and his rookie season ended without substantial contributions. However, this young outfielder is making up for lost time this year and could become a cornerstone of the team in the future," expressing expectations for Lee's growth.
"Lee Jung-hoo has emerged as one of the top hitters in the lineup and has made a fantastic start to the season," the outlet commented, "Thanks to a combination of a high batting average and power, he quickly became the most beloved player among San Francisco fans. For the Giants, who hope for success in 2025, Lee is a critical factor for success. He has emerged as the team's best hitter while also showing good play as a center fielder in the largest outfield in Major League Baseball. The rookie season is one to forget, but this year he has shaken off those regrets. It is hoped that he can maintain the same productivity for the rest of the season."
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