Jung Hoo Lee is a left-handed outfielder from Korea. He's played for the Kiwoom/Nexen Heroes of the KBO for the past seven seasons. He's known for his glove and is a high-average/high-OBP hitter. His career line is .340/.407/.491 (884 G, 3947 PA) and he turns 26 in August.
The Giants signed Lee to a six-year, $113M deal. That should beef up the outfield!
Wikipedia lists him as Jung-hoo Lee but all the baseball sites list him as Jung Hoo Lee. I suppose rendering Korean names into American English could have a few quirks. His father is a famous Korean ballplayer as well.
This is all very exciting. Let's strike while the iron is hot! Sign Yamamoto!
--M.C.
12 comments:
Giants are getting his prime years. I don't know much about the guy except he's the speedy leadoff centerfielder type who gets lots of hits and gets to lots of balls. Giants need flashy athleticism and marketable youngsters, he seems to fit the bill.
Let's get some more!!!!
Here's a good article about Lee.
https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/jung-hoo-lee-free-agency-preview
Grandson of the Wind. I love it.
If he can hit anywhere near the Marlin's second baseman did last year, he will help the team. The fish's second baseman was a high contact, low strike out guy who hit it in the holes, but occasionally when power was needed, he could drive the ball. We now have an outfield of Fitzgerald, Matos, Ramos, Yaz, Conforto, Haniger, (sometimes Lamont Wade), Slater, Even if Haniger or Conforto mostly DH, we have an overload of outfielders and some will either have to play in the minors, if they have options, or perhaps a trade is in the fixing. And some folks still think we are in the market for Bellinger? (comment from nomisnala), for some reason my account is coming up as anonymous.
Seems like Bellinger is less of a priority now that they have Lee.
They have to get a pitcher. If not Yamamoto then Snell.
A shortstop is also on the list.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/giants-finally-make-a-free-agent-splash-with-jung-hoo-lee-signing/
Eric Longenhagen on FanGraphs talks about Lee.
The author likes the player and the signing. He projects as a 2.5 WAR player. The comments are a different story. People seem to think it is an overpay and a panic move by FZ.
Here's the deal. Lee is supposed to be a very entertaining player who makes lots of contact, has elite bat control, and sprays hits all over the park. He's a good defender and base runner, too, and plays every day.Just the kind of thing fans want to see. It not just about the production, it's also about the style. Lee will bring some style to the top of the lineup.
Now let's go get Yamamoto!
David Pinto at Baseball Musings thinks the Lee singing is a great move by the Giants.
I agree!
https://www.baseballmusings.com/?p=150885
That's "signing" not "singing" !!
Who knows, maybe the guy can sing, too.
Another Brett Butler to lead things off but perhaps with more power.
Butler's lifetime OBP was .377 including three seasons over .400, one at .399, and another at .397 so if Lee can do anything like that he'll be insanely valuable.
I think that might be the high end of his projections. Most scouts peg him a bit below that, but still above average, a quality lead-off guy.
Lee was the best player in the KBO. That tells you about his makeup. I expect him to be the hardest-working guy out there. He should be fun to watch.
Some players just reach a certain pace of the game, at which they hit a wall. Some do not and continue to perform well despite the increased pace of the game. Apparently MLB is a bit of an upgrade as far as this goes over the Korean leagues. We shall see how this plays out with Lee. I am hoping that he is a guy that will adapt quickly to the MLB pace. As we have all seen with triple A players, some come up, and thrive, while others need a big adjustment, and some just cannot seem to make that final adjustment.
Ha-Seong Kim was Lee's teammate in Korea and his lifetime slash line (891 G, 3664 PA) was .294/.373/.493 compared to Lee at .340/.407/.491 but despite the similar SLG average Kim hit more HR, he profiles more as a power hitter.
Kim came to MLB at age 25 having started his pro career at 18, just like Lee.
Kim struggled in his first season but since then has put together two straight 3-4 WAR seasons on the strength of above average hitting and excellent fielding (first SS, now mostly 2B). He doesn't have the power he did in Korea, but he is clearly MLB talent everywhere else.
I think Lee is going to do really well and has a chance to be a local favorite. I suspect he will be animated and energetic and will give the fans plenty to watch.
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