A South Korean beast who crossed the Pacific. A man who has played only 37 games in Major League Baseball must carry the team's destiny. Lee Jung-hoo (27), now known as 'the man from San Francisco,' is motivated.
On the 26th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started as the third center fielder in the final exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, where he recorded three at-bats with no hits. Although he had no hits, finishing the exhibition games healthily was a bonus.
Lee Jung-hoo, who had disappeared after the game against the Texas Rangers on the 14th due to a back injury, made his return on the 24th in a practice game against the Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A team. Following that, he played in three consecutive games, including the exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers on the 25th, and completed the games healthily. He finished the exhibition season with a batting average of .250 (9 hits in 36 at-bats), 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, and an OPS of .829.
In the game against Sacramento, Lee Jung-hoo showcased that he had no issues with his batting by getting a double and a walk. In the game against Detroit on the 25th, he finished with no hits in three at-bats, one walk, and one run scored, but the quality of his hits was satisfactory.
In his final exhibition game, Lee Jung-hoo faced promising right-hander Jackson Jobe, who was drafted third overall in the first round of the 2021 draft by Detroit. In his first at-bat with two outs and no runners in the bottom of the first inning, Lee Jung-hoo aimed for Jobe's first pitch, a 97.9 mph four-seam fastball. However, it flew high and resulted in a flyout to center field.
In the bottom of the third inning with one out and a runner on first base, Lee Jung-hoo came to bat for the second time. He took the first pitch for a ball and hit Jobe's second pitch, a 95.5 mph four-seamer, but it became a foul. He reacted to the third pitch, an 86 mph changeup, but it went outside the right foul line. It was a double-worthy hit that resulted in an unfortunate outcome. Ultimately, he struck out looking at the fourth pitch, an 86.9 mph cutter in the low zone, which was perfectly placed.
He came to bat for the third time in the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on second base. Facing the new pitcher Casey Mize, Lee Jung-hoo observed the first pitch, a 95.6 mph four-seamer, then pulled an outside 83.3 mph slider but ended up grounded to the second baseman. That day, Lee Jung-hoo completed three at-bats and played until the end of the sixth inning before being substituted.
After being substituted, Lee Jung-hoo gave an interview during the game broadcast conducted by NBC Sports Bay Area. He noted, "Both my shoulder and back feel great. I just want to get back on the field quickly. I’m fully prepared for the opening game," expressing confidence that there would be no problems regarding his participation in the season opener.
When asked to reflect on this year’s spring camp, he said, "I have gone through spring camps for two years in Major League Baseball and seven years in Korea, and this year feels like it went by the fastest. I trained really hard, and the best club has helped me make a healthy return. I just want to repay the team."
When asked about his position in the batting order and his center field defense, Lee Jung-hoo said, "I believe there is a role to play in any lineup. I will always strive to show what the team wants when I’m on the field." He added, "Not just me, but other center fielders have also done well here. I just want to perform as well as they have. I consider injuries an excuse and will strive to deliver good performances in a beautiful stadium."
He smiled, saying he is satisfied with his life in San Francisco. He remarked, "Since I was young, I wanted to live in a place with a view of the sea. I’ve realized my dream of playing in the Major Leagues, and now I’ve also fulfilled my dream of living by the sea." When asked what his favorite food is, he responded, "I love hamburgers the most. The hamburgers prepared by the team are really delicious," smiling.
Throughout the interview, the commentators created a friendly atmosphere with Lee Jung-hoo, indicating high expectations for him. Lee Jung-hoo also expressed his affection for the city of San Francisco and the team as he resolved to perform well. He suffered a shoulder injury during the defensive process last year, playing only 37 games and recording a batting average of .262 and an OPS of .641, which was somewhat disappointing. He is being regarded as a key player in San Francisco's lineup.
'MLB.com' assessed Lee Jung-hoo as an important X-factor, stating, "With Willy Adames joining as a free agent, the Giants lineup will undoubtedly experience an increase in strength. However, it will not be sufficient for the Giants to reach playoff-caliber offense solely on his own. We hope Lee Jung-hoo will inject the necessary vitality into the lineup. Even though he underwent surgery for a torn shoulder labrum last year and was placed on the injured list, several deep metrics indicate the potential for development in his second Major League season. Metrics such as a 37.1% rate of making contact with the bat, a 9.6% swinging strike rate, and an 8.2% strikeout rate provide hope for improvement in the second season."
Therefore, it is essential for Lee Jung-hoo to prove himself healthily in his second year season. Only then can he truly be regarded as a man from San Francisco and a hope for the team. North American sports media 'The Athletic' raised concerns in an article titled 'Worst-case scenario for San Francisco's 2025 season,' stating, "Lee Jung-hoo did not progress well before his injury last year. This means that things did not progress well prior to that. Before last year's injury, his OPS was in the .600s. This could be Lee Jung-hoo's true ability," viewing him with a sense of worry.
Additionally, predicting San Francisco's lineup for this year, they placed Lee Jung-hoo as the third center fielder, noting, "Lee Jung-hoo, who was the biggest wild card in last year’s wild card race, leaves everyone uncertain about where his ceiling or floor might be. In spring camp, he appeared as Wade Boggs (the Hall of Fame legend with 3,010 hits), but now it is unclear what that means. It could very well mean nothing. He struggled with back pain later in camp, but it may have significant implications," leaving unanswered questions. However, it is clear that Lee Jung-hoo is shouldering the fate of this year's San Francisco lineup. Although everyone was worried about his back injury, he completed the last three exhibition games healthily. He is expected to have no issues for participation in the opening game. After a day of rest, Lee Jung-hoo and San Francisco will play their season opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 28th.
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