In the winter of 2023, the San Francisco Giants made a big signing. The team inked a 6-year, $113 million contract with Korean player Jung Hoo Lee. When both parties signed, the former KBO MVP was expected to make an immediate impact. For a brief moment, Lee lived up to those expectations. However, disaster struck in the form of a shoulder injury, which sidelined him for the majority of the 2024 season.

By mid-May, Lee’s debut campaign in the U.S. was cut short. Now, with a full offseason of recovery behind him, Lee is eager to turn the page and prove that his first year in the majors was just a setback. The talented outfielder is hungry to have the breakout season that his debut year should have been, knowing that he has the tools to be a star in the MLB. 

In an interview with KNBR, Jung Hoo Lee decided to let everyone know about his goals for this year and the thing he loves most about being in San Francisco. Can you guess what that is? Well, it’s not related to sports but food. Lee revealed that he loves burgers, especially from In-n-Out. The one thing he wishes was in Korea is this burger franchise. Why? Apparently, they make a great double-double set.   

Jung Hoo Lee likes it plain and simple, and as for his goals, the Korean player said through an interpreter that with the help of the coaching staff he hopes to achieve the number 30, which would be great. But where in the lineup would this young dynamic player be kept at?

It looks like Jung Hoo Lee’s role in the lineup could be shifting for 2025  

After signing a massive six-year, $113 million contract last offseason, Lee was expected to fill the leadoff spot. However, an unfortunate shoulder injury cut his debut season short, limiting him to just 37 games. Now fully healthy, Lee is eager to make his mark, but the Giants’ new strategy might see him moved out of the leadoff spot altogether. 

Manager Bob Melvin has been toying with the idea of sliding Lee into the heart of the lineup, possibly batting third, to better leverage his well-rounded offensive game. With LaMonte Wade Jr. excelling at getting on base, Melvin is considering shifting Wade into the leadoff position while putting Lee in a more run-producing spot. “Wade gets on base, too, so somebody’s got to hit third,” Melvin explained. This move could allow the Giants to maximize their offensive potential, with Wade’s patience and Lee’s all-around hitting skills complementing each other. 

Melvin’s decision also factors in other key players like Willy Adames, who fits well in the two-hole, and Matt Chapman, who is likely to stay in the cleanup spot. With Heliot Ramos potentially following Chapman, the Giants’ lineup has the makings of a balanced, potent offensive attack. While it’s not set in stone and the lineup could evolve as spring training progresses, it’s clear that the Giants are preparing to deploy Lee in a role that best fits his abilities in 2025.