Lee Jung-hoo, the double machine, ranks 5th in overall CF slugging percentage with 0 home runs! He stands tall as a power heater

Apr 03, 2025

After this.AP Yonhap News

Lee Jung-hoo and colleagues.AFP Yonhap News

San Francisco Giants Lee Jung-hoo stood tall as a major league power heater. Lee Jung-hoo ranked fifth in slugging percentage among center field in the Major League without a single home run.

Lee Jung-hoo missed the game against the Houston Astros in the 2025 Major League Baseball at Daikin Park in Houston on the 3rd (Korea time). San Francisco won 6-3, sweeping three consecutive away games. He won four games in a row.

Starting this season, Lee Jung-hoo's hit, which has been placed in the clean-up trio, stands out.

Lee Jung-hoo was evaluated as a perfect 'leadoff' with his fast feet and sophisticated hitting skills and pioneering vision. At the same time, in the KBO League, there was only one season with more than 20 home runs, so 'Power' was questioned.

How valuable is the U.S. sports media 'The Athletic' in February 'If extreme contact hitters fail to supplement their power in modern baseball? Can Lee Jung-hoo be reborn as a productive runner? More importantly, will Lee Jung-hoo be able to play consistently?He said, `If it stops short-handed, the main position could also be in jeopardy.

San Francisco coach Bob Melvin used Lee Jung-hoo as the third player in an unconventional manner. Lee Jung-hoo proved with his ability that Melvin's eye was correct.

Lee Jung-hoo has a batting average of 0.278 / on-base percentage of 0.381 / slugging percentage of 0.444 and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.852 in the opening five games. It is the fifth consecutive on-base hit, the fourth consecutive hit, and the third consecutive double. The deep left-center double he hit on Sunday's game was a 104.5-mile (168-kilometer) batting speed and a 376-foot (115-meter) flying distance. If it was a small stadium, it was a home run ball.

San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames, left, and center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, right, celebrate after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

CINCINNATI, OHIO - MARCH 30: Jung Hoo Lee #51 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring on a home run hit by Matt Chapman #26 during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on March 30, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jeff Dean/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Jeff Dean / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Lee Jung-hoo ranks fifth overall in slugging percentage among center field players in the Major League. The OPS is also in fifth place. Among them, Lee Jung-hoo is the only batter without a home run. Lee Jung-hoo ranks third in slugging percentage and third in OPS within the team. He has a higher slugging percentage than his teammates Matt Chapman and Ramonte Wade Jr., who each have a home run.

The center fielder, who has a high defensive burden, is considered the top of the league even if it exceeds 0.8 million OPS. Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Jarran Duran (Boston Red Sox) and Jackson Merrill (San Diego Padres) were the three center field players who exceeded 0.800 OPS in the entire major league in the 2024 season. When narrowed down to the National League, there was only one Meryl.

If Lee Jung-hoo maintains his current performance, he can establish himself as the best center fielder in the big league.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.