The announcement has come that "Son of the Wind" Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) has the 3rd highest salary among Major League Baseball center fielders for the 2025 season.

The American media USA Today revealed the "2025 Major League Baseball Center Fielder Salary Rankings" on the 28th (Korean time).

The outlet noted, "While there are many center fielders who earn a lot of money in Major League Baseball, the number of high-salary players in the center fielder position is relatively fewer compared to other positions. Currently, only 5 center fielders earn at least $10 million on average, and one of them is at the top with an annual salary of $26.7 million."

The salary king among Major League Baseball center fielders is KODI Bellinger, who is signed with the New York Yankees for a total of $80 million over 3 years. Bellinger will receive a salary of $26.7 million this year (approximately 38.3 billion won).

USA Today continued, "In addition to Bellinger, there are many high-salary center fielders. George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays earns $25 million (approximately 35.9 billion won), making it the second highest salary among center fielders, while Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants ranks third at $18.8 million (approximately 27 billion won)."

Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners follows with a salary of $17.4 million (approximately 24.9 billion won), and Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins comes next with $14.3 million (approximately 20.5 billion won).

USA Today explained, "There are a total of 12 center fielders who earn at least $5 million on average."

Lee Jung-hoo signed with San Francisco for 6 years at $113 million (approximately 162.2 billion won) prior to the 2024 season, fulfilling his dream of becoming a major leaguer. Although he suffered an unexpected injury during defense last year and only appeared in 37 games, he has displayed impressive performance this year with a .324 batting average, 35 hits, 3 home runs, 16 RBIs, 22 runs scored, and an OPS of .929 over 28 games. He is currently tied for 1st in the National League for doubles (11), 5th in batting average, and 10th in slugging percentage (.546).

It is notable that he has risen to the 3rd place in Major League Baseball center fielder salary rankings within just two years of his debut. Notably, he is earning more than Julio Rodríguez, who signed a mega long-term contract worth up to $470 million (approximately 674.8 billion won) in August 2022.

▲Major League Baseball Center Fielder Salary Rankings

1 KODI Bellinger (New York Yankees) $26.7 million

2 George Springer (Toronto Blue Jays) $25 million

3 Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) $18.8 million

4 Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners) $17.4 million

5 Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins) $14.3 million

6 Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves) $9 million

7 Cedric Mullins (Baltimore Orioles) $8.7 million

8 Luis Robert Jr. (Chicago White Sox) $8.3 million

9 Lane Thomas (Cleveland Guardians) $7.8 million

10 Sedan Rafael (Boston Red Sox) $6.3 million

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