The South Korean import has found his stride in his second season in America
The San Francisco Giants have had difficulties in attracting top free agents in recent years. They have been deep in negotiations with some of the biggest names in the market, only to see those players ultimately sign elsewhere.
If you’re going to fail with domestic free agents, it makes sense to turn overseas. San Francisco may not be an appealing destination for Americans (I understand completely, as the city is greatly overrated), the west coast location gives the Giants an advantage in signing free agents from Asia.
Jung Hoo Lee was a second-generation star in South Korea’s KBO league. He exploits earned him Rookie of the Year and MVP honors during his seven-year career for the Nexen Heroes.
Former KBO MVP Jung Hoo Lee has reportedly been posted by the Kiwoom Heroes.
Where will the 25-year-old outfielder land? pic.twitter.com/Kyb4lXD0Ri
— MLB (@MLB) December 4, 2023
After the 2023 season, the Heroes posted him to Major League Baseball, and the Giants pounced, paying his posting fee and then signing him to a six-year contract. But his first season in the United States didn’t go very well. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in May, limiting him to just 37 games.
He’s making up for lost time in his second season. Through 14 games, Lee leads the league in doubles (8), OPS (1.130), and OPS+ (228), and is probably the biggest factor in the Giants’ unexpectedly hot start. Unlike the Phillies’ offense, he’s coming in hot, having hit two home runs on Sunday to power the Giants to a win over the Yankees.
Jung Hoo Lee’s second home run of the game gives the @SFGiants the lead! pic.twitter.com/FPUA5FP7zZ
— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2025
Earlier this season, the Phillies had success shutting down a different superstar from Asia. We’ll see if the pitching staff can come up with a similar answer for Lee.
2015 song of the series
Two years ago, the Nexen Heroes posted Lee so that he could become a star in America. Therefore, this series’ song is Post to Be by Omarion.
Additional thought about the series
Maybe you could excuse the Phillies’ performance on Friday night due to their travel schedule. But it was unacceptable for them to similarly sleepwalk through Sunday’s loss. During a 162-game season, every team is going to have some low effort games, but it feels like recent Phillies teams have a tendency to have lackluster showings in “getaway” games.
It was a disappointing road trip, but the Phillies need to put it behind them quickly. The Giants have exceeded expectations early in the season, and if the Phillies don’t show more life over the next four games, there could be more losses in their future.