In Good Health, Jung Hoo Lee is a Genuine Superstar
By Mike Arbor
After a shoulder injury prematurely ended Jung Hoo Lee’s rookie year, offseason pressure on the beloved Giants centerfielder to bounce back was immense.
With a relatively quiet offseason after signing Willy Adames, it became clear that there wasn’t going to be any new firepower on offense; the hitters who were returning were going to have to step it up. And what better candidate for a breakout year than a celebrated international signing with the third-highest payroll hit on the team?
So far in 2025, the “Grandson of the Wind” has answered the call – so much so that MLB’s official Twitter account took a break from their 24/7 Shohei Ohtani coverage to call Lee “must-see TV.”
Through 26 games, Lee leads all Giants hitters in batting average (.333), OPS (.981), WAR (1.6), runs scored (22), doubles (11) and triples (3), to go along with his three home runs, 16 RBI, and a .398 OBP. Additionally, Lee’s been stellar in the outfield, making athletic running, leaping and sliding catches left and right. Baseball Savant ranks his range, arm strength and sprint speed in the 83rd, 88th, and 72nd percentiles, respectively.
So far, his team is reaping the rewards. The Giants are 17-9, a record that would lead four of six MLB divisions at the moment but not their own, thanks to the Padres’ hot start.
They haven’t just been beating up on weak teams either; the Giants have series wins against the 14-11 Mariners, the 15-10 reigning AL Champion Yankees, the 13-11 Astros, and most recently the Brewers, who were 12-10 before their trip to San Francisco. In games against opponents with a record at or above .500, Lee specifically is slashing an incredible .343/.410/.616.
Beyond just what he does on the field, he has an aura that brings an aspect to Giants baseball that hasn’t existed in a long time. “It’s just cool to see him (succeed),” Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb told the media, adding, “because he’s such an amazing guy, great teammate and brings a lot of energy.”
That energy has helped create not one but two entourages routinely showing up to see him play at Oracle Park. The first is the Jung Hoo Crew, fans who sit in a team-promoted section in the center field bleachers during weekend home games and receive a custom shirt. The second is a group of 51 fans – the same as Lee’s jersey number – that calls itself the Hoo Lee Gans.
If you ask Lee himself what the biggest contributor is to his success in 2025, it stems from his fans, teammates, and in general, the fact that he feels at home on the Giants. “It’s all about the comfort level here in the clubhouse and on the field,” he said via his interpreter earlier this week. “I got to know all the guys and I’m close to everybody. It just makes everything easier.”
But whether you attribute Lee’s coming-out party to comfortability, health, or just skillset development, one thing is becoming consistently clear: the Giants’ hitting lineup finally has a building block for a legitimate playoff run.
Also a plus: Jung Hoo Lee rhymes with "MVP." Makes for a cool chant for a really fun athlete to watch.