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Grandson of the Wind
Grandson of the Wind
Jung Hoo Lee’s Grand Slam Entrance into MLB
Jung Hoo Lee’s Grand Slam Entrance into MLB
2024.08.30
2024.08.30
On December 15, 2023, the San Francisco Giants officially announced the signing of Jung Hoo Lee, a Korean baseball sensation.
The contract is worth a staggering $113 million over six years. This deal surpasses the previous record held by fellow Asian hitter Shin-Soo Choo* and puts Lee’s annual salary at $18.8 million, rivaling the $20 million earned by pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu*. With this contract, Jung Hoo Lee has become the highest-paid player on the San Francisco Giants roster.
*Shin-Soo Choo signed a seven-year, $130 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2013, the largest for an Asian hitter at the time. Hyun-Jin Ryu signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.
What makes this deal even more remarkable is that Lee not only became the highest-paid player on the Giants but also signed one of the largest contracts in the franchise’s history. The $113 million over six years ranks as the fourth-largest contract in the Giants’ 140-year history, surpassing even that of franchise icon Matt Cain*. The Giants' investment in Jung Hoo Lee underscores the high expectations the team has for him.
*Matt Cain: A one-club man drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft, Cain pitched for the Giants until 2017. He was beloved by fans, especially after throwing a perfect game in 2012. His largest contract was five years, $112.5 million.
"Grandson of the Wind*"
Born as the son of Korean baseball legend Jong Beom Lee, Jung Hoo Lee has been in the spotlight since before his professional debut. Drafted first overall by the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom) in 2016, Jung Hoo Lee made his professional debut and became the first high school rookie to hit .300 in a season, breaking records for rookie batting average, hits, and runs.
*The nickname is a nod to his father, Jong Beom Lee, who was known as “Son of the Wind.”
"I’ve always been known as my father’s son, but with this award, I feel like I can finally start my baseball journey under my own name."
- Jung Hoo Lee, 2022 MVP acceptance speech
While he initially gained fame as Jong Beom Lee’s son, Jung Hoo Lee has since proven himself through his performance on the field. Except for injury-affected seasons, he has improved every year, winning Rookie of the Year in 2017, a Golden Glove in 2018, and leading the league in batting average in 2021. In 2022, he was the league leader in nearly every offensive category, including batting average, hits, RBIs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, culminating in an MVP award.
"The player who will bring K-pop to MLB."
- Scott Boras, Jung Hoo Lee’s MLB agent
"A wizard with the bat, Jung Hoo Lee is the first step in fixing the Giants’ struggling lineup."
- MLB.com
The media has closely analyzed the factors* behind Jung Hoo Lee’s high-paying contract, with many attributing it to the recent success of Asian players in MLB. Examples include Masataka Yoshida**, who made a successful debut with the Boston Red Sox last year, and Ha-seong Kim of the San Diego Padres. Notably, Jung Hoo Lee’s superior batting average and lower strikeout rate, compared to Ha-seong Kim***, have played a significant role in his contract’s value.
*One key factor is the suitability of his home stadium. AT&T Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants, is known for its spacious right field and high fences, which favor a contact hitter like Jung Hoo Lee over a power hitter.
**Masataka Yoshida is a Japanese outfielder who debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 2023, hitting .289 in his first season.
***In KBO comparisons, Jung Hoo Lee outperformed Ha-seong Kim in all major hitting categories, including batting average, hits, and strikeouts.
"As long as I keep working hard and stay healthy, I believe the numbers I aim for will follow."
- Jung Hoo Lee
The market's outlook on Jung Hoo Lee is optimistic. MLB.com ranks him as the 14th best free agent, and a U.S. statistical site using the ZiPS system predicts that he will post a .288 average, with 8 home runs and 62 RBIs in 2024, performing at a starter-level. As Jung Hoo Lee makes his MLB debut, fans eagerly anticipate the emergence of another Korean Major League star, following in the footsteps of Ha-seong Kim.
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