Jung Hoo Lee

Jung Hoo Lee Bio

Jung Hoo Lee is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on August 20, 1998, in Nagoya, Japan, and previously played seven seasons in the KBO League for the Kiwoom Heroes. Lee earned the KBO League Rookie of the Year Award in 2017 and won the KBO League Most Valuable Player Award in 2022. He is the son of Lee Jong-beom, a legendary KBO player nicknamed the “Son of the Wind,” earning Jung Hoo Lee the moniker “Grandson of the Wind.” Lee has established himself as one of baseball’s most accomplished international players, winning five consecutive Golden Glove Awards and twice leading the league in batting average.

Early Life and Background

Lee was born on August 20, 1998, in Nagoya, Japan, while his father was playing in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Chunichi Dragons. After his father signed with the KIA Tigers in 2001, the family moved to Gwangju, South Korea. They relocated to Seoul in 2012 upon his father’s retirement. Lee attended Whimoon Middle School and then Whimoon High School, a prestigious sports-focused institution known for developing elite athletes.

His father initially opposed his son’s career choice in baseball and attempted to steer him toward other sports. Eventually, Lee Jong-beom relented on one condition: his son must bat left-handed despite being naturally right-handed. Lee accepted this condition and began emulating Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki, who was also a right-handed thrower and left-handed batter. He selected jersey number 51 to honor Suzuki. A profile of his father revealed that a seven-year-old Jung Hoo Lee was already drawing attention for his natural skill and dedication to the sport.

Path to Professional Baseball

Lee’s trajectory toward professional baseball was shaped by his family legacy. Growing up in a household surrounded by baseball excellence, he developed his skills through dedicated training at Whimoon High School, one of South Korea’s premier athletic programs. His early exposure to the sport, combined with his father’s guidance and his own natural talent, positioned him as a promising prospect in Korean baseball. By the time he completed high school, Lee had developed into a highly-touted player with exceptional bat control and defensive abilities.

The Nexen Heroes selected Lee in the first round of the 2017 KBO League draft, choosing him as an infielder alongside Kim Hye-seong, who would become his future teammate and close friend. Rather than developing in the minor leagues, Lee advanced directly to the major league roster from high school, making him the first rookie out of high school to achieve this distinction with a KBO team.

Jung Hoo Lee Career

KBO League Career (2017–2023)

Lee debuted with the Nexen Heroes (later renamed Kiwoom Heroes) at age 18 and made an immediate impact. He became the first high school rookie to appear in every game for a KBO team. He finished his rookie season batting .324 with two home runs, 47 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 179 hits, setting a new rookie record for hits in the league. At season’s end, Lee was voted KBO League Rookie of the Year Award winner.

In 2018, Lee suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six weeks, yet he still improved his offensive numbers, posting a .355 batting average with six home runs and 57 RBI. His performance ranked him third in the league in batting average. The following year, he continued his excellence with a .336 average, six home runs, and 68 RBI, earning his first KBO Playoff MVP Award. Lee secured Golden Glove Awards each year from 2018 through 2020, establishing his reputation as one of the league’s premier defensive outfielders.

Record-Breaking Seasons (2021–2022)

The 2021 season marked Lee’s emergence as the league’s top hitter. He led the KBO in batting average at .360 while compiling a .959 OPS with seven home runs, 84 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. On October 25, 2021, at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park, Lee hit for the cycle against the Samsung Lions, a rare offensive feat demonstrating his complete skill set at the plate. He captured his second consecutive Golden Glove and second batting title that year.

The 2022 campaign became the defining season of his KBO career. Lee played 142 games and hit .349 with 23 home runs and 113 RBI, posting a career-high OPS of .996. He became the youngest and fastest player in KBO history to reach 1,000 career hits, accomplishing the milestone at 23 years old in 747 games. His father previously held this record, having reached the mark in 779 games. Lee dominated the league statistically, leading in batting average, hits, RBI, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. He won the KBO League Most Valuable Player Award and earned his fifth consecutive Golden Glove.

Injury and KBO Exit (2023)

In 2023, Lee assumed the captaincy of the Kiwoom Heroes and played in 85 games before his season ended prematurely. He was hitting .319 with six home runs and 45 RBI when he suffered a fractured ankle. He underwent season-ending surgery on July 25, 2023. Despite the injury-shortened campaign, Lee’s legacy with the Heroes remained intact. On December 4, 2023, the Heroes officially posted Lee to Major League Baseball, opening the door for his transition to MLB.

San Francisco Giants Era (2024–Present)

On December 14, 2023, Lee signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants also paid an $18.825 million posting fee to the Kiwoom Heroes. Lee made his MLB debut on March 30, 2024, against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park and hit his first MLB home run that same day. Family members, including his father, were in attendance to witness the milestone. His first MLB season encountered challenges when he suffered a left shoulder injury on May 12 after crashing into the outfield wall attempting to catch a fly ball. He underwent season-ending labrum surgery on May 17. In 37 games during his debut MLB campaign, Lee hit .262 with two home runs and eight RBI.

The 2025 season marked Lee’s first full MLB campaign. He appeared in 150 games and posted a .266/.327/.407 slash line with eight home runs, 55 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. He led the Giants in batting average, base running value, strikeout rate, doubles with 31, and triples with 12. On September 26, 2025, Lee hit his 12th triple of the season, ranking him third in all of MLB and second in the National League. This performance tied the record for the most triples by an Asian player in a single season, previously held by Ichiro Suzuki.

Defensive Abilities and Strengths

Lee has earned recognition as an elite defensive outfielder, winning five consecutive Golden Glove Awards in the KBO. His defensive prowess stems from exceptional reads on fly balls, quick first step movement, and reliable hands in all three outfield positions. His arm strength and accuracy allow him to impact games from the outfield, while his speed provides versatility in center field. At the plate, Lee demonstrates a contact-oriented approach with exceptional bat-to-ball skills and the ability to use all fields.

Notable Events and Milestones

Lee’s career features several signature accomplishments. His 179 rookie hits set a KBO record. He became the fastest player in KBO history to reach 1,000 hits at age 23, eclipsing his father’s longstanding record. His cycle on October 25, 2021, showcased his offensive diversity. In MLB, his first home run at Petco Park on Opening Day 2024 represented a meaningful moment shared with family. His 12 triples in 2025 tied an Asian player record and demonstrated his extra-base hit ability translating to the majors.

Jung Hoo Lee Career Wins

Lee compiled impressive statistics across seven KBO seasons before joining MLB. In 580 career KBO games, he hit .340 with 65 home runs, 515 RBI, and a .407 on-base percentage. His 2022 MVP season featured career highs in home runs (23), RBI (113), and OPS (.996). His consistent excellence is reflected in six KBO All-Star selections and back-to-back batting titles.

KBO League Highlights

Lee won the KBO Rookie of the Year Award in 2017 after setting a rookie record with 179 hits. His most decorated season came in 2022 when he captured the MVP Award, led the league in five major categories, and earned his fifth consecutive Golden Glove. He won two KBO batting titles in 2021 and 2022, hitting .360 and .349 respectively. His 113 RBI in 2022 and 101 RBI in 2020 demonstrated his run-production capability. He earned two KBO Playoff MVP Awards in 2019 and 2022, delivering in high-pressure situations.

International Success

Lee represented South Korea at multiple international tournaments. He was part of the South Korea team that won the 2016 U-18 Baseball World Cup. At the 2018 Asian Games, he delivered the game-winning RBI against Taiwan on November 17, helping South Korea capture gold. At the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament, Lee led all players with five doubles. He also competed at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In 2026, he served as captain of Team South Korea at the World Baseball Classic, leading the team to the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years.

Jung Hoo Lee Family

Family Background and Baseball Lineage

Lee comes from a distinguished baseball family. His father, Lee Jong-beom, was a star player in the KBO League, primarily with the KIA Tigers, and earned the nickname “Son of the Wind” for his exceptional speed and defensive excellence. The elder Lee was a seven-time Golden Glove Award winner and remains one of the most celebrated players in Korean baseball history. His achievements established the foundation for his son’s legacy, with Jung Hoo Lee later earning the moniker “Grandson of the Wind.” The family baseball tradition has produced two generations of elite-level players who have left indelible marks on Korean baseball.

Personal Life

Lee maintains a strong public presence in South Korea. He has appeared in the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 List, ranking at number 6 in 2024 and number 7 in 2025. He serves as a brand ambassador for multiple international companies including Adidas, McLaren, Tag Heuer, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. He also represents Korean brands Paldo and USANA. His marketability reflects his status as one of South Korea’s most prominent athletes. Lee continues to draw inspiration from his father’s legacy while forging his own path in baseball history.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented Jung Hoo Lee’s first full Major League Baseball campaign following a rookie year interrupted by injury. Lee appeared in 150 games for the San Francisco Giants, demonstrating his ability to be an everyday player at baseball’s highest level. His offensive production included eight home runs, 55 RBI, and 10 stolen bases, showing the diverse skill set that made him a star in the KBO. His .266 batting average led all Giants outfielders and highlighted his ability to hit for average at the major league level.

Lee’s standout tool in 2025 was his extra-base hit production, particularly his prowess as a triples hitter. His 12 triples ranked among the best in all of baseball and represented a dramatic weapon in the Giants’ lineup. This power-speed combination placed him among MLB’s most dynamic players and validated his reputation as a five-tool threat. His 31 doubles further demonstrated his ability to hit the ball with authority to all fields.

Looking ahead, Lee’s trajectory suggests continued growth as he gains more MLB experience. The Giants invested $113 million over six years in a player they believe can become a cornerstone of their franchise. His adaptation to major league pitching, combined with his defensive excellence, positions him as a valuable long-term asset. With full health and a full season under his belt in 2025, Lee enters future seasons with momentum and confidence, aiming to establish himself among MLB’s elite outfielders.