Is Lee Jung-hoo Going to Be the Next Big Korean Athlete Abroad?
South Korean baseball players have graced a lot of headlines recently. A notable example of this is baseball star Hwang Jae Gyun, as he and T-ARA member Jiyeon announced their marriage in 2022. Their union created a lot of buzz within South Korea, as the couple are both popular in their respective fields and drew fans' interest in their relationship.
More recently, though, another athlete who has made a splash in headlines is Lee Jung-hoo of the Kiwoom Heroes. Lee is slated to join the US Major League Baseball (MLB) and is currently under free agency, bringing speculation on which team the Korean baseball star is set to join by 2024.
Lee Jung-hoo's Career Background and Highlights
Being the son of Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League MVP Lee Jong-beom, the younger Lee's promising talent was nurtured from a young age. He was drafted by the Nexen Heroes as an infielder in 2016, and Lee made his professional KBO debut on April 1, 2017. He was included on the team's opening roster at age 18 despite not playing under the KBO Futures League, which is a farm league meant to prepare younger athletes for a professional playing career.
Undeterred by his young age, Lee was voted KBO League Rookie of the Year during his first season. He went on to win the MVP award in the 2019 and 2022 seasons, which also gained him fame as his father was also recognized as a consistent MVP during the peak of his career, with his father earning the nickname "Son of the Wind" for his remarkable speed while on the field, Lee has garnered the title of "Grandson of the Wind" for exhibiting the same qualities while playing.
Outside of baseball, Lee has also made career milestones with big-ticket brand endorsements. One prominent sponsorship is with Oakley, and the brand will provide Lee with Oakley sunglasses until 2024 under the agreement with the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC). Oakley sunglasses are a staple among athletes who play outdoors as they are manufactured with the latest technologies to help sports performance. These glasses have lightweight frames, come with polarized lenses, and are available in various non-slip designs that can protect athletes' vision while engaging in their sports. This is especially important for athletes like Lee, who rely on visual acuity. In 2021, Lee signed a multi-year deal with the energy drink Red Bull. This makes him the energy drink brand's first South Korean ambassador, who is now privy to Red Bull's exclusive training programs.
Lee's MLB Potential
Considering how much Lee's achieved at only 25 years old, it is no surprise that MLB teams have taken interest in the young star. However, Lee is currently nursing an ankle injury that prevented him from playing for the rest of the season. Many are anticipating his recovery, as this will set the tone on whether he will secure an MLB contract by the end of 2023.
As of October 2023, though, the SF Giants are one prospective MLB team that is setting their sights on Lee. The team is looking to upgrade their lineup, and the young South Korean baseball star checks a lot of their boxes, as he is considered to be an excellent contact hitter, has considerable speed on the field, and holds good control of the strike zone.
Besides securing a spot within the North American Baseball League, being part of the MLB can open up new opportunities for Lee. Joining the MLB would mean higher pay since Lee is no longer considered an "amateur" by the league's regulations and is free to sign a contract of any length or dollar amount. Additionally, Lee could get signed on for more brand deals and endorsements, as other Asian baseball stars like Shohei Otani are making waves for their partnerships with Nike and New Balance in promoting jerseys and other sports apparel.
Regardless of which MLB team he signs with, Lee is expected to be the next big Korean athlete abroad, and many are eagerly waiting for him to recover and bring honor to the country.
