Melvin: Jung Hoo Lee could bat 3rd in lineup this year

After missing the bulk of his MLB rookie season due to a shoulder injury, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is looking forward to a big season in 2025.

Giants manager Bob Melvin has high expectations for the 26-year-old centerfielder as the second-year skipper recently revealed that the team is “toying with the idea” of batting Lee third in the lineup.

Lee, a high-contact hitter during his time in the KBO (383 walks against 304 strikeouts), would be slotted in behind leadoff hitter LaMonte Wade Jr. and shortstop Willy Adames–San Francisco’s prized free agent signing from this offseason.

“Wade gets on base, too, so somebody’s got to hit third, too,” Melvin said of the idea during Spring Training workouts in Arizona. “When we are lefty-righty, I’m going to talk to [Lee] a little bit about maybe the three-hole. We’ll see where it goes. It’s not etched in stone here that Jung Hoo is going to lead off.”

이정후 개인 첫 홈런

JUNG HOO LEE’S FIRST MLB HOME RUN‼️ pic.twitter.com/BxW2s5Vb9K

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 31, 2024

More on Jung Hoo Lee & the SF Giants

Jung Hoo Lee also possesses the ability to drive in runs, as the outfielder drilled 30 or more doubles in five of his seven seasons in the KBO.

Over 37 games (145 plate appearances) with the Giants in 2024, Lee batted .262 with two home runs, four doubles, and ten walks (13 strikeouts) before suffering a season-ending torn labrum injury in his left shoulder.

Lee is healthy and in camp, ready to play, and this is how San Francisco’s 2025 lineup is shaking up to look with Adames, Matt Chapman, and more in the fold for this season:

(FanGraphs)

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The San Francisco Giants will be back in action this weekend as the Spring Training schedule begins.

Pitchers and catchers are already going through workouts, while position players will report to camp next week ahead of Saturday’s (February 22nd) Cactus League opener against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona.

Here’s when you can catch the Giants in action this February and March as we take a look at the full 2025 Spring Training schedule:

2025 Spring Training Schedule: San Francisco Giants

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