According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the SF Giants and New York Yankees are allegedly expecting to be interested in KBO star outfielder Jung-Hoo Lee (ninth-best free agent), after he is posted by the Kiwoom Heroes in the coming days. This is because both are looking to enhance their outfield this summer.
“I believe he is very interested in the market as a whole,” Morosi stated on MLB Network’s Hot Stove on Monday. “The San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees, first and foremost.”
The Giants were previously connected to Lee when one of their professional scouts was seen watching the 25-year-old take batting practice earlier this year. Seeing the organization in Lee’s sweepstakes is hardly surprising, given the presumed opening in center field.
Most people agree that Lee is the best player in the KBO. In 2022, he had a breakout year, hitting.349 with a.996 OPS, 23 home runs, and winning the KBO MVP award. Despite a decline in output this season, partly as a result of an injury, he still has an outstanding resume.
Given that he is the son of KBO icon Jong-Beom Lee, popularly known as “Son of the Wind,” Jung-hoo is nicknamed “Grandson of the Wind.” He is regarded as the best player in the KBO and won the 2022 KBO MVP award with a batting average of.348, an on-base percentage of.996, 23 home runs, 113 RBIs, and a WAR of 9.3. Even though Jung-hoo is not as fast as his father, he still has plenty of speed to cover center field defensively, where he has earned five consecutive Gold Glove awards in the KBO and has made sliding catches.
In terms of the type of player the Giants are seeking, Lee most certainly meets their requirements. Despite playing in the hitter-friendly KBO, he has never produced a lot of power, but he is a superb contact hitter with exceptional strike zone control. With a lifetime batting average of.342, he holds the KBO record for hitters with over 3,000 plate appearances. Over the last four seasons, he has drawn more walks than strikeouts. Since 2019, in fact, his strikeout percentage is a pitiful 6.5%. Given that he is the first player to be picked and move straight to the KBO after skipping the KBO minor leagues, it is an amazing accomplishment.
Due to an ankle injury that finished the 2023 season early, Lee is expected to be ready when spring training begins, according to Morosi. The San Francisco Giants, however, would be prepared to take a chance on him recovering considering his youth and the dearth of other center field options available this offseason.
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