What, Lee Jung-hoo is also No. 1 in the MLB? There's a reason why Lee Jung-hoo chose the first Asian team since Ichiro
What, Lee Jung-hoo is also No. 1 in the MLB? There's a reason why Lee Jung-hoo chose the first Asian team since Ichiro
Blog Article
Lee Jung-hoo (aged 27, San Francisco Giants) made his big league debut by signing a six-year deal worth 113 million U.S. dollars with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2024 season. However, he only played in 37 games during his debut season. It was due to injury.
Lee played center fielder at a game against Cincinnati at Oracle Park on May 13 last year, but seriously injured his left shoulder while trying to catch a homerun-like hit in the first inning. He tried to catch the jump after catching the ball until the end, but rather experienced the tragedy that he ended up on the operating table as his shoulder collided with the fence. Lee thought of holding out through rehabilitation and undergoing surgery after the season, but San Francisco did not want to take chances.
Rather, San Francisco's persuasion and patience to undergo surgery early and wait for 2025 as normal are shining this year. Lee Jung-hoo is playing a leading role in San Francisco's batting average this season. As of Tuesday (Korea time), he has a batting average of 0.324, an on-base percentage of 0.383, three homers, 16 RBIs, three steals, and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.929. He is leading the Major League in this category with 11 doubles, and has a slugging percentage of more than 50 percent.
However, Lee Jung-hoo's value does not end here. The defense also shows that Lee is not an offense player. When San Francisco recruited Lee, it was confident that he would be able to surpass the league average not only in offense but also in defense of center field. Lee, who underwent adaptation last year, is also displaying stellar performance in defense this year. Currently, Lee has positive scores in various defense indicators including DRS and OAA.
Not only his wide range of defense but also his strong shoulders stand out. Lee's average throwing speed last year was within the top 5 percent even in the Major League. He is also within the top 15 percent range this year. Last year's assessment that the fact that the injured shoulder was his left shoulder was rather positive continues. And based on his strong shoulders, he has already recorded three assists this year.
A number of runners died on their way to second base, ignoring Lee's shoulder. Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies), former league MVP, was like that, and recently Jonah Haim (Texas) was also shot by Lee while on his way to second base after a hit. It was a relatively ordinary hit, but he underestimated Lee's shoulder and ran, before being thrown out at second base due to accurate and strong throws. In fact, just throwing strength does not mean that assistants are allowed. He also needs to have accuracy, but Lee Jung-hoo has both. It is a great strength for a team and a pitcher who can deter runners from trying additional bases.
Lee has recorded the most assists among center field players in the league. He has recorded three assists this year, tying for first with JJ Bloody (Athletics) and Tyrone Taylor (New York Mets). The two players have always been strong and strong. Lee is on par with them. Now that Lee's shoulder and accuracy have been confirmed, the movement of runners will inevitably shrink. This is more important than the number of assists.
Asian outfielders rarely get very good reviews when it comes to defense. Choo Shin-soo, one of the most successful outfielders in the Major League, was also famous for his strength, but he did not get good reviews in defense since he entered his 30s. Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs) has good defense, but was basically a corner outfielder, and turned into a designated hitter this year. It is not easy to think of a player who has strong shoulders while playing center field and covering a wide range.
If you have to, you can think of Ichiro Suzuki, who was one of the best defenders in the league as a right fielder. Ichiro was not a center fielder, but he won 10 Gold Gloves based on his wide range of defense, genius sense, and strong shoulders that completely erased Asian prejudice in the Major League. Lee Jung-hoo's defense may need a little more time to reach Ichiro's level, or it may not be enough, but there is another peculiarity in terms of the "strong-shouldered Asian center fielder."
Lee Jung-hoo was once again recognized by the 메이저놀이터 Major League's official website (MLB.com ) on Monday (Korea time) by being included in the second team among the All-Star teams of the Major League. MLB.com named Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Corbin Carroll (Arizona), and Kyle Tucker (Chicago Cubs) as its first team. In fact, there is no room for disagreement as they are outfielders who have performed better in the early days of the season than Lee.
Lee Jung-hoo, Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego) and Juan Soto (New York Mets) were selected as the second team. All of them are outstanding players. We can see how well Lee received in the early days of this season. They have displayed good performances both in offense and defense. Lee also received favorable evaluations. "Lee had a batting average of 0.324 and an OPS of 0.930 through Sunday. He has been a slugger so far. He had 11 doubles, two triples and three homers, tied for first in the National League," MLB.com said in unison. Lee deserves such praise for his performance in balls and throws.