MLB didn't forget Lee Jung-hoo... From selecting a big hit candidate to a hit king candidate, expectations explode in 2025
MLB didn't forget Lee Jung-hoo... From selecting a big hit candidate to a hit king candidate, expectations explode in 2025
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Lee Jung-hoo (aged 27, San Francisco Giants) who signed a six-year contract worth 113 million U.S. dollars ahead of the 2024 season was definitely a star in the offseason. Not only San Francisco but also the entire contract for fielders in the Major League showed that Lee was among the top players in terms of contract size. The deal raised high expectations for Lee's sophistication of the left-handed side, which was a problem for the team, and his resources that could solve both defense in the center field.메이저사이트
Expectations were high within the San Francisco Giants even before the spring training began, with Bob Melvin professing, "It would be strange if Lee Jung-hoo was not the starting leadoff center fielder in the opening game." Lee also went through the process of calmly solving various problems he encountered in the early days of the season. As he has signed a six-year contract, he needed to adapt himself to the environment by watching as many balls as possible from Major League pitchers in the first season. San Francisco was willing to wait for this.
However, it has been hard to find a name for Lee since the middle of the season. It was because of his unexpected injury. On May 13, the 37th game of this season, Lee suffered a serious injury while hitting his left shoulder against the fence while playing defense in the first inning at a home game against Cincinnati. He flew up to catch a homerun-like hit, but failed to catch the ball, resulting in the worst-case scenario where his left shoulder ligament was damaged. After much consideration, the San Francisco Giants and Lee decided to undergo surgery and ended the season early.
It was a fatal outing in the season that he had never displayed before. It was fortunate that he did not have a shoulder to throw, but it was not a comfort to Lee, who faced a big ordeal right after his advance to the Major League. Lee disappeared shortly after, leaving a batting average of 0.262, two homers, eight RBIs and OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.641 in 37 games in his debut season.
In the meantime, notable young players such as Eliot Ramos and Tyler Fitzgerald came out to the San Francisco Giants, and the name of Lee Jung-hoo who went through long-term rehabilitation was forgotten for a moment. However, the Major League still has high expectations for Lee. Analysts say that Lee has all the elements to succeed in the Major League, as his first season was ruined by his injury. The Major League's view of Lee Jung-hoo, who is set to make a comeback in the second season and the second season, remains favorable.
The official Major League website (MLB.com ) on the 2nd (Korea time) selected a player for each club to succeed this year. Maria Guardado, a San Francisco correspondent, chose Lee Jung-hoo. "Lee Jung-hoo was the Giants' biggest free agent last offseason, but he suffered a shoulder injury in May after playing in 37 games," Guardado said. "Lee Jung-hoo is expected to perform spring training normally, and San Francisco still believes that his elite contact ability will be able to display dynamic offense. He did not hide his expectations, saying, "I will be put back into center field and leadoff positions."
With Lee's departure, San Francisco's leadoff center fielder position has been pointed out as a continuous problem. Some players played sporadically like Luis Matos, but the ultimate solution is for Lee to return and take this position. Despite a long absence due to injury, the 2025 season will be able to be together normally from the start thanks to the fast decision to undergo surgery. Many media outlets have specified Lee as the starting center fielder for San Francisco's lineup in 2025. Still, expectations are high.
▲ "Steamer" showed unwavering trust in his batting ability, expecting Lee Jung-hoo to hit 0.294, on-base percentage 0.351, slugging percentage 0.438, 14 home runs and 13 steals this year.
The computer statistics projection is also looking forward to Lee Jung-hoo's 2025. "Steamer," one of the representative statistical projections, has received the most favorable evaluation. Steamer gave an estimate by assuming that Lee will play in 143 games and play 660 at-bats in 2025. He laid down the basic premise that he will become a starting player every day. "Steamer" predicted that Lee will have a batting average of 0.294, an on-base percentage of 0.351, a slugging percentage of 0.438, 14 homers, and 13 steals this year. The adjusted score productivity (wRC+) is expected to be 21 percent higher than the league average at 121, while the contribution to victory (War) against the expected replacement players was 4.1 percent higher. This is a WAR that has more than offset Lee Jung-hoo's salary.
Computer projection calculates expected performance based on previous performance by taking into account various factors including player's age. "Steamer" said Lee's 2024 performance was meaningless because there were few samples due to injury. Based on his performance in the KBO League, he calculated the expected performance again, and expected Lee to show good offensive performance. He also believed that Lee would be able to surpass average in defense.
The figure is quite high given the overall forecast in the league. According to Steamer's forecast for 2025, only four players have expected a better batting average than Lee. Only Luis Aras (San Diego, 0.307), Yordan Álvarez (Houston, 0.301), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto, 0.297), and Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City, 0.296) are in higher positions than Lee. In the National League, only Aras is higher than Lee. With Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), the best hitter in the Major League, expected batting average of 0.280, we can see how highly the Steamer projection values Lee.
The projected WAR of 4.1 was also the 30th place in the entire Major League. With ample playing time expected, it was all thanks to the positive scores in both offense and defense. Everyone remembers Lee Jung-hoo, and everyone is keeping up with expectations. Lee Jung-hoo, who will start 2025 healthy, will have to repay that belief.