Lee Jung-hoo (25, Kiwoom Heroes), 메이저사이트 who showed his true value at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), caught the attention of Japan. There is a lot of interest in hitting geniuses.
Lee Jung-hoo started all four games in the first round of the 2023 WBC finals and hit 0.429 (6 hits in 14 at-bats), 5 RBIs, 4 points, 1 steal, and an OPS of 1.071. The dignity of Lee Jung-hoo, who won the KBO League MVP last year by winning 5 batting crowns (batting average, hits, RBIs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage), was also revealed in the WBC.
Lee Jung-hoo also performed impressively against Japan. He was the only player on the team to produce multiple hits, and made a hit in a head-to-head match against ace Darvish. Before the tournament, Lee Jeong-hoo modified his batting form for a faster and more concise swing, and it worked.
However, Korea lost to Japan (4-13) and Australia (7-8) and failed to advance to the quarterfinals with a record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Following 2013 and 2017, he was humiliated by being eliminated in the first round of the WBC three times in a row. The team’s journey ended in regret.
We will no longer see Lee Jung-hoo play in this tournament. After the final match against China in the first round, Lee Jung-hoo attended the press conference room, and the Japanese reporters who were seated at the same time asked questions.
A Japanese reporter asked, “This time I played the WBC game in Japan. My father, Lee Jong-beom, was also active in Japanese professional baseball. Does he have any intention of playing in Japan?”
In response, Lee Jung-hoo replied, “I have to do better in Korea now. I don’t know what will happen after this season, but I have a desire to challenge myself in the United States.”
After the 2023 season, Lee Jung-hoo aims to enter the major leagues through the posting system. He teamed up with ‘Super Agent’ Scott Boras last January and is looking to break into the big leagues.
The US is already closely monitoring Lee Jung-hoo. Major league scouts visited the baseball field during a practice game during the training camp in Arizona to check Lee Jung-hoo’s skills. Some scouts even filmed videos.
Ahead of the tournament, Japanese media ‘Web Sportiva’ paid attention, “Korea’s leading player is Lee Jung-hoo. He is currently the most popular player in Korea.” Japan, which directly confirmed Lee Jung-hoo’s competitiveness through the WBC, did not let go of their interest. However, the gaze of the baseball genius is fixed on the United States, not Japan.