"LEE, keep hitting well!" The reason Lee Jung-hoo's teammate, the "American Batting Champion" he directly cited as the secret to his power hitting, just smiled contentedly

*This content was translated by AI.

Was the Injured List (IL) not a comma, but a "springboard for growth"? San Francisco Giants Lee Jung-hoo (28) is unleashing historic power hitting while absorbing the "trade secret" of his infield teammate Luis Arraez (29), who is regarded as one of the best contact hitters in Major League Baseball. Local media are focusing on the heartwarming bromance between Lee Jung-hoo and Arraez.

Since returning from the IL due to lower back pain, Lee Jung-hoo has been absolutely bombing the league. In his 9 games since returning, his stats are a .595 batting average (37 at-bats, 22 hits) and 2 strikeouts. The last Giants player to record 22 hits in 9 games was the "legend" Willie Mays in 1958. Through the game on the 7th, he accumulated 27 hits over a 14-game consecutive hit streak, the most since Buster Posey, the 2014 "franchise star" and current Giants executive vice president of baseball operations. Lee Jung-hoo's recent pace has begun to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the "protagonists" of Major League Baseball history.

When asked about the secret to his possessed hitting pace, Lee Jung-hoo pointed to Luis Arraez, who shines as the "three-time consecutive batting champion (2022 season–2024 season)" in Major League Baseball. In an interview with the local San Francisco Chronicle, Lee Jung-hoo directly revealed the secret to his power hitting: "While on the injured list, I studied pitchers using advanced equipment (called a 'TruTrack') in the batting cage, and I also watched a lot of Arraez's hitting videos."

He didn't just watch the videos. The two players are said to share a deep connection in their daily lives. Lee Jung-hoo said, "Arraez is a player with a very open heart, so we talk often. Rather than focusing on hitting mechanics, he first approaches me to share tips on mindset in specific situations, how to attack pitchers, and the mental approach to handling success and failure. Arraez has been a huge help to my current performance," expressing his gratitude.

An interesting behind-the-scenes story unfolded next. After Lee Jung-hoo's interview concluded, a local American media crew approached Arraez and told him, "Lee Jung-hoo singled you out as the secret to his power hitting and praised you highly." Arraez, known for being media-friendly, responded with an unexpected action. Upon hearing the question, he simply smiled at the corners of his mouth, avoided answering, and walked away.

It was because of a heartwarming reason. He didn't want to disrupt Lee Jung-hoo's flow, which had just ignited with insane hitting momentum. In other words, it appeared to be an act of consideration for the "baseball jinx." As he walked away, Arraez left only one remark: "I just hope he continues to get hits." It was a statement filled with the highest respect for Lee Jung-hoo. The San Francisco Chronicle also described it as, "He didn't want to bring bad luck to Lee Jung-hoo."

Arraez's hitting philosophy is said to have been greatly influenced by Hall of Famer Rod Carew during his time in the Minnesota Twins' minor league system. Arraez directly explained the lesson: "Don't aim for home runs, reduce strikeouts, and target the empty grass where there are no fielders." This aligns perfectly with Lee Jung-hoo's baseball philosophy. When asked about his goal at the plate, Lee Jung-hoo reportedly smiled in front of American reporters, saying, "Ball exit velocity is important, but if I can find the empty grass where there are no fielders and hit the ball there, that's the best. Finding the grass, that's all that matters."

Finally, Lee Jung-hoo added, "Perhaps many people think I'm focusing too much on the tiny details at the plate right now. But in reality, that's not the case at all. I don't consciously try to do anything specific. At every at-bat, in every game, I just try my best to naturally follow the natural order."

The "Grandson of the Wind," who has begun to empty his mind and entrust himself to his instincts, is finally proving his value with the help of the best hitter in Major League Baseball.

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*This content was translated by AI.