San Francisco Giants' Lee Jung-hoo is continuing to undergo TES tests for the third batting position.
San Francisco will hold a 2025 Major League Baseball exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on the 25th (Korean time) at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On the 23rd, Lee Jung-hoo returned to the field for the first time in 286 days in an exhibition game against Texas, hitting a bullet-like single in his first at-bat to showcase his healthy physique. He did not play in the exhibition game on the 24th against Cincinnati. After taking a day off, Lee Jung-hoo will once again sharpen his competitive edge against Colorado.
On this day, San Francisco tested Lamonte Wade Jr. as the leadoff hitter, grouping 'billion dollar' batters in the 2nd to 4th positions. Willy Adames as the 2nd hitter, Lee Jung-hoo as the 3rd hitter, and Matt Chapman as the 4th hitter will start.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Lee Jung-hoo attempted to enter the U.S. via posting and successfully signed a massive 6-year, $113 million (approximately 161.3 billion won) contract with San Francisco. Last September, San Francisco extended a contract with Chapman for 6 years at $151 million (approximately 215.6 billion won) during the season.
Additionally, San Francisco acquired free agent shortstop Adames with a 7-year, $182 million (approximately 259.9 billion won) contract last December. In acquiring Adames, who received a qualifying offer, San Francisco incurred the loss of two 2026 draft picks (2nd and 5th rounds) and a $1 million international amateur player signing bonus. He is a precious asset.
Adames appeared as a designated hitter the previous day against Cincinnati, recording 1 hit in 2 at-bats. Chapman made his first appearance in the exhibition game on this day.
Manager Bob Melvin mentioned adjustments to Lee Jung-hoo's batting order as spring training begins, considering using him in the 3rd position instead of leadoff to create a more effective lineup. He contemplated Wade Jr., who has a decent on-base percentage, as a leadoff alternative.
Lee Jung-hoo appeared as the 3rd hitter against Texas and is slated to be in the 3rd position for two consecutive games. He must elevate the team's scoring power with Adames and Chapman, who were acquired at great expense.
San Francisco will hold an exhibition game against Colorado at home on this day, while also executing a split squad to battle the Los Angeles Angels in an away exhibition game at Diablo Stadium in Tempe.
Starting players will participate in the home exhibition game against Colorado, while the away game against the Angels will feature a lineup primarily consisting of backups and minor league players.
Justin Verlander will take the mound as the starting pitcher for the home game against Colorado. The veteran recently signed a 1-year, $15 million contract with San Francisco, making his first appearance in this exhibition game.