A post on social media by a San Francisco fan after seeing Lee Jeong-hoo’s performance
When Lee Jeong-hoo (26, San Francisco Giants), the ‘grandson of the wind’ who entered the Major League Baseball (MLB) this season, hit his first home run in his second exhibition game, local fans and media were also enthusiastic.
Lee Jeong-hoo is raising expectations by showing great performance from the beginning of his exhibition games, as if ridiculing concerns that it would take time to adapt.
Jeong-hoo Lee started as the number one hitter and center fielder in the 2024 Major League Baseball exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2024 Major League Baseball held at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA on the 1st (Korean time) and went 2 hits in 3 at bats, 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1. Scored a goal.
The first home run in an exhibition game came in the top of the third inning. In the top of the third inning, when the team was down 0-2, with no runners on base and two outs, Lee Jeong-hoo hit a 94.7 mph (approximately 152.4 km) fastball driven into the center on the 4th pitch against Line Nelson with a ball count of 2 balls and 1 strike, crossing the right wall. He hit a solo home run. His distance was 418 feet (about 127.4 m).
Lee Jeong-hoo’s batting average in the exhibition game, who even hit a double in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning, rose to 0.500.
Local fans cheered as Lee Jeong-hoo made a great performance from the beginning of the exhibition game, hitting a hit and a home run.
One San Francisco fan even posted on his social media, “Better than Otani.” Another fan said, “Get used to (Lee Jung-hoo’s performance). This player is of a different race. He wrote, “I love you.”
Local media also highly evaluated Lee Jeong-hoo’s early performance.
‘Sports Keyda’, an American sports media outlet, said, “Major League pitchers’ pitches don’t seem to be a big problem for Lee Jeong-hoo,” and “Lee Jeong-hoo looked comfortable at the plate.”
The San Francisco Chronicle also commented, “Today’s home run is a sign that Lee Jeong-hoo is adapting well to the pitches of major league pitchers,” and added, “Lee Jeong-hoo’s batting skills are much better than expected.”
Manager Bob Melvin said, “Lee Jeong-hoo is off to a good start,” and “he is hitting all pitches well, including fastballs and breaking balls.”
Nelson, who hit the home run, acknowledged Lee Jeong-hoo’s skills, saying, “I did not analyze Lee Jeong-hoo separately (prior to his pitch),” and “Now I know that Lee Jeong-hoo is a good player.”
Meanwhile, Lee Jeong-hoo’s early performance was possible because of his own efforts to adapt to the big league stage.
Lee Jeong-hoo met with local reporters after the game and said, “Most major league pitchers are tall and have a high release point (the height at which they release the ball from their hands), so the ball looks faster.” “We trained for this during the winter,” he said.
At the same time, he added, “I am pleased to see good results.” 스포츠토토