SF Giants should challenge speedy outfielder to add much needed skill set

If you have watched the SF Giants in recent seasons, then you probably already know they are one of the slowest teams in baseball. Jung Hoo Lee adds a speed dynamic they need and the Giants should challenge him to be more aggressive on the bases.

SF Giants should challenge speedy outfielder to add much needed skill set

Lee was not much of a high-volume base stealer during his seven seasons with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO. He never stole more than 13 bases in a season, which he did in 2019. However, he was also unsuccessful in seven attempts, so he only had a 65 percent success rate that year.

The success rate is a big part of stealing bases today. If a player steals 20 bases, that does not tell the whole story. The success rate sheds light at how effective they are at it.

If they steal 20 bases in 20 opportunities, then it is fair to label them as an elite base stealer. They have a good read on the pitcher's move and have the instincts to know when is the right time to go. If a pitcher is prone to throwing an offspeed pitch with count leverage, that is generally a good time to go. These things can be taught.

However, if a player steals 20 bases in 30 opportunities, that is a subpar success rate. You are probably doing more damage for the team by being so aggressive.

Lee had a 75 percent success rate in the KBO. In his brief time with the Giants last year, he swiped two bases in five opportunities. Admittedly, it is a small sample, but one that would not necessarily lend itself to a higher volume.

On the other hand, the 26-year-old outfielder is an above-average runner. You generally need to be to patrol center field at Oracle Park. Lee averaged 28.4 feet per second last year, putting him in the 79th percentile in sprint speed according to Baseball Savant.

That mark is better than Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels and Dylan Moore of the Seattle Mariners, each of whom stole at least 30 bases in 2024. Lee's speed is in the same neighborhood as Nico Hoerner, who swiped 31 bases last year. Undeniably, Lee has the speed to steal 30 bases but can he do it efficiently?

Recent rule changes have leaned heavily in favor of the runner, leading to a huge spike in stolen bases in recent seasons. It is one of those changes that makes assessing stolen bases prior to 2023 difficult to compare to the past two seasons.

This should bode well for someone like Lee and many other runners. It should be a challenge by the coaching staff to have him be more aggressive on the bases. Some of that is up to the coaching staff. Can they give him the coaching he needs to be more successful on the bases? That remains to be seen but it feels like one area that they can better utilize and expand his skillset.