"Last in MLB center field defensive index." Lee Jung-hoo, right field is a piece of cake! 2G consecutive Bodhisattva → 'Laser Throwing Show'

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants), who struggled in the Major League's center field defensive index in the 2025 season last season, is showing his true value as soon as he moves to right field. It seems that he is shaking the Major League with "steel shoulders" rather than "grandchildren of the wind." As the defensive burden decreases, he is showing a good performance in hitting.

Lee Jung-hoo started as the fourth batter and right fielder in an exhibition game against the Athletics at Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona on the 24th (Korea Standard Time). On the same day, Lee Jung-hoo scored one hit and one point from three times at bat, and at the same time, he recorded two consecutive games following the previous day (23rd) against the Cubs. He showed a perfect throw that completely washed away his defensive anxiety when he was a center fielder.

In fact, Lee Jung-hoo, who was San Francisco's main center fielder in the 2025 season, did not have good defensive indicators. According to the Major League's official statistics site 'Baseball Servant', Lee Jung-hoo's defensive index in center field was at the bottom of the league. OAA (Outs Above Average), a defensive indicator of how many outcounts are captured than the league average, a zero average) of -5, and a defensive Run Saved (DRS) of -18 were not good. Lee Jung-hoo seemed to have a hard time adapting to the league in the center field, which requires fast batting judgment and a wide range of defense.

However, the decision to "move right field after Lee Jung-hoo" made by the San Francisco front office and coaching staff ahead of this season has become a stroke of God. With Harrison Bader (32) from "Gold Glove" joining the center fielder position, Lee Jung-hoo moved to right field that can utilize his biggest weapon, strong shoulders.

Following the game on Sunday, Lee Jung-hoo made a bodhisattva in the game on Monday. In the top of the third inning, with one out and runners on the first and second bases, Lee Jung-hoo caught the opponent's Darrell Ernaiz's right-handed hit and threw it home without delay. The throw was delivered accurately, and he caught Max Muncy, the second baseman who was digging home. It was the perfect "Laser Throwing Show" to quell the controversy over defense when he was a center fielder and a bodhisattva for two consecutive games.

As he finds stability in defense, a virtuous cycle structure that leads to concentration at bat is also noticeable. Lee Jung-hoo came out as the leadoff hitter in the fourth inning and drew a sharp hit off opposing pitcher Tyler Ferguson. After that, he stepped home and scored a point when the subsequent batter made a timely hit. It is the second consecutive hit after the game against the Cubs, which was their debut in an exhibition game. As the pressure on the defense range is relieved, its unique sophisticated hitting ability is being exercised without regret.

Korean and U.S. baseball fans are paying attention to how Lee Jung-hoo, who is looking at the top right field in the Major League after removing the label of "last in the center field defensive index," will surprise him in the 2026 regular season.

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*This content was translated by AI.