SF Giants center fielder looks primed for breakout 2025 season

Jung Hoo Lee was one of the biggest signings for the SF Giants prior to the 2024 season, but his rookie campaign was derailed after he crashed into Oracle Park's center field wall in May. He now looks primed to have a breakout season.

Who knows how many games the Giants would have won if they had a healthy Jung Hoo Lee for most of last season. Maybe it would not have made a major difference since he was still learning the ropes and adjusting to MLB pitching, but his defense alone likely would have helped out a good deal.

Unfortunately, he was robbed of most of his rookie season. In his brief 37 games last season, he slashed .262/.310/.331 with two home runs and eight RBI. He appeared to be finding his stride at the plate more right before he got hurt which was a shame.

SF Giants Jung Hoo Lee looks primed for breakout season in 2025

Thankfully, Lee had a successful rehab and was fully healthy coming into spring training. That was the one benefit of Lee's injury occurring relatively early in the season that he would be ready to go by Opening Day.

So far in spring training, Lee looks like a player who is ready to have a breakout 2025 season. Thus far in Cactus League play he has eight hits in 20 at-bats including two home runs and two RBI.

Of course, this is a very small sample size and we should not read too much into spring training stats, but it feels like Lee is ready to take a big step forward this season. He got his first taste of the big leagues last season but now he knows what to expect and will have a greater comfort level than he did last season.

He may also have a little less pressure on his shoulders a year removed from signing his big contract and with additional help in the form of Willy Adames and Matt Chapman both being signed to long-term deals.

Plus, perhaps Lee will be more comfortable batting third in the lineup rather than leadoff which is an idea manager Bob Melvin has pitched and experimented with in spring training. Maybe Lee, with his impressive bat-to-ball skills, will be better at moving runners over or driving guys in rather than having to be a table-setter in the leadoff spot.

If Lee can take a big step forward this season, that could be the missing ingredient from last season that propels the Giants to a successful season. Let's hope he can build upon his strong start in spring training and carry it over to the regular season.