As teams look to upgrade their outfield this offseason, the SF Giants and New York Yankees are reportedly expected to be interested KBO star outfielder Jung-Hoo Lee ( ninth-best free agent) once he's posted by the Kiwoom Heroes in the coming days, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
"He is someone that I think has a lot of interest in the marketplace overall," Morosi said on MLB Network's Hot Stove on Monday. "The San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees, first and foremost."
The Giants have been linked to Lee before when one of their pro scouts was spotted scouting the 25-year-old earlier this year, observing as he took batting practice. With a presumptive opening in center field, it's certainly not a surprise to see the organization in Lee's sweepstakes.
Lee is widely considered the best player in the KBO. He had a career-year in 2022, winning the KBO MVP with a .349 batting average, .996 OPS, and 23 home runs. His production did dip this season, in part due to an injury, but he still has an impressive track record
Nicknamed "Grandson of the Wind," as he's the son of KBO legend Jong-Beom Lee, also known as "Son of the Wind," Jung-hoo is widely considered to be the best player in the KBO after winning the 2022 KBO MVP with a .349 batting average, .996 OPS, 23 home runs, 113 RBIs, and a 9.3 WAR. While Jung-hoo does not have the same speed as his father, he has more than enough speed to handle center field defensively, where he's routinely made sliding catches and has won five straight Gold Glove awards in the KBO.
Within the context of what the Giants are looking for in a player, Lee definitely fits their mold. While he has never been a big power producer despite playing in the hitter-friendly KBO, he is an elite contact hitter with excellent control of the strike zone. His .342 career batting average is a KBO record for hitters with more than 3,000 plate appearances and he has drawn more walks than strikeouts in each of the past four seasons. In fact, his strikeout rate since 2019 is a measly 6.5%. It is an impressive feat given the fact that he is the first player to skip the KBO minor leagues, going straight to the KBO after he was drafted.
Lee's 2023 season ended prematurely due to a season-ending ankle injury, but Morosi added that he's expected to be ready by the time spring training opens up. However, given his youth and the lack of other center field options available this offseason, the SF Giants may be willing to bet on him bouncing back.
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