KBO star who has been scouted by SF Giants remains slated for MLB free agency
Korean baseball star Jung-Hoo Lee is preparing to be posted by his KBO team, the Kiwoom Heroes. While he suffered a season-ending ankle injury, a report by the Jeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency said there has been no indication that he will not be posted this winter. The SF Giants, who were seen scouting him earlier this year, could easily be significant players in his market.
Jung Hoo Lee hits a double against Japan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Although the Heroes confirmed in January that Lee would be posted for MLB teams to sign after the 2023 season, a season-ending left ankle injury that required surgery put a possible wrinkle in those plans. However, it doesn’t appear the setback will sideline Lee and the plan to be posted remains in place, according to the Yonhap News Agency. The injury was suffered in late July, and the reported timetable for recovery was three months.
Despite the injury, Lee’s timing seems impeccable. The upcoming free agent pool is expected to feature quality starting pitching, but limited impact bats, which could make him a universally sought-after commodity. The Giants have been linked in the international market before, most recently being connected to Japanese stars Seiya Suzuki, Kodai Senga, and –– most notably –– Shohei Ohtani.
Lee, who will turn 25 later this month, was enjoying another solid season for the Heroes, slashing .319/.407/.456 with six homers, 23 doubles, 45 runs batted in, and a .863 OPS in 85 games before the injury. After winning the KBO Rookie of the Year in 2017, Lee has elevated himself as one of the premier players in the league and eventually was named the 2022 KBO MVP after posting a .996 OPS.
As the son of Jong-Beom Lee, a former KBO league MVP, Lee possesses many of the tools his father carried around throughout his 19-year professional career. Known for his elite bat-to-ball skills, Lee has more walks than strikeouts in his career –– 383 vs. 304 –– and has regularly been considered the best defensive outfielder in the country, winning five straight Golden Glove honors in center field from 2018-2022. He’ll run into one now and then, too, crushing 23 long balls during his MVP campaign.
During the World Baseball Classic in March, Lee’s production was put on display for a national audience. Despite Team Korea’s quick stay in the tournament, Lee was still able to act as a catalyst in the lineup, hitting .429 in just four games.
The only Korean-born player in SF Giants franchise history is Jae-gyun Hwang, who briefly appeared in 18 games with the team back in 2018. Perhaps Jung-Hoo Lee will soon add a second name to that list.
