SAN FRANCISCO After putting on his new Giants cap and tucking his hair behind his ears, Jung Hoo Lee instantly made an impression on the roughly two dozen media members present at his inaugural news conference at Oracle Park on Friday afternoon by pushing into the microphone and asking a crucial question.
“Nice one?” Lee enquired, evoking laughter from the assembly.
The 25-year-old Lee signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants that includes an opt-out following the 2027 campaign. Lee is likely to become the team’s new center fielder.
According to Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, “we think this is an absolutely perfect fit.” “As we discussed going into the offseason, our objectives were to become a more athletic club, increase our offensive production through more contact, and play the style of baseball that the industry appears to be favoring. To be honest, when we reviewed our alternatives this summer, Jung Hoo was the only player or target who more perfectly matched our goals.
Known for his exceptional contact abilities, Lee spent seven seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization, where he compiled an astounding slash line of.340/.407/.491. Now, as he prepares to enter the Major League, he will look to build on that accomplishment.
Speaking in English, Lee began, “I have always loved the Bay Area, from coming here as a young ballplayer.” “I’m here to win, and I’ll always try my hardest for my friends and teammates. Go Giants!
Several other insights from Lee’s thirty-three-minute news conference are as follows:
A global scouting expedition enhanced the Giants’ pitch
Although the Giants showed their interest in Lee early by sending general manager Pete Putila to South Korea to observe Lee’s final game with the Kiwoom Heroes in October, Zaidi remarked that Lee was a “very coveted player in free agency.”
After missing most of the 2023 season due to surgery on his left ankle, Lee only got one at-bat, but he noticed that the Giants were prepared to go above and beyond.
Agent Scott Boras stated, “It’s really nice to tell the player that an organization’s interest level is to the point where they’ll fly 30,000 miles to watch one at-bat.”
“Shocking,” Lee uttered through interpreter Tad Yo. “It was an honor for me that he arrived; you never gave it a second thought. I feel incredibly fortunate that someone of Pete’s stature and status would come watch me play, even if it was just for a single at-bat.
Lee’s ankle surgery has healed completely.
A few Giants supporters held their breath waiting for Lee’s physical findings on Thursday. The club’s unsuccessful contract with Carlos Correa, whose 13-year, $350 million agreement fell apart owing to a similar medical issue last year, was brought back to mind by Lee’s ankle ailment.
However, Lee stated he’s back to full strength and anticipates being ready for Spring Training, so no alarms were raised in the end. The Korean star, according to Zaidi, will be expected to patrol center field every day, thus the Giants will be depending on Lee to restore his speed and athleticism.
Although Zaidi didn’t completely rule out the potential of making another deal this offseason, the Giants are unlikely to pursue other free-agent outfielders like Cody Bellinger now that Lee is a member of the team.
Zaidi remarked, “I think it’s a possibility, but not necessarily.” “There’s nothing urgent going on there.”
Lee is certain that he can manage the adjustment to the Majors.
Because Major League pitchers have higher velocities, KBO batters typically find it harder to transition to the big leagues. However, the Giants think Lee’s superior bat-to-ball abilities will translate to success.
One statistic from Lee’s MVP campaign with the Heroes in 2022, according to Zaidi, was that over 142 games, he hit 23 home runs while striking out just 32 times.
“Forget about walks to strikeouts; it’s truly impressive to have close strikeout and home run totals in any league,” Zaidi remarked. “Not just the numbers we looked at, but I think his pitch recognition is really good for our scouts.” He senses when a pitch is accepted very quickly. We are therefore quite confident in the ability to truly translate that skill set.
Lee stated that he has already consulted his former Heroes teammate Ha-Seong Kim of the Padres for advice, and he is eager to put those suggestions into action shortly.
“I’m a little nervous to say this, but the skill set will impress the fans starting on Opening Day,” Lee remarked.