Speedy SF Giants outfielder named captain of 2026 WBC team

The SF Giants will be well represented in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Jung Hoo Lee will not only play for South Korea, but he has also been named the team captain, per Yang Seung-su of The Chosun Daily.

Speedy SF Giants outfielder named captain of 2026 WBC team

South Korea's roster will feature a handful of major leaguers, including Lee, Hyeseong Kim, Shay Whitcomb, and Jahmai Jones. That team will be managed by Ji Hyun Ryu, who had an 11-year career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and managed the LG Twins for two seasons beginning in 2021.

This will be a return for Lee, who played for South Korea in 2023. That team had a disappointing finish after losing to Australia and suffering a tough 13-4 defeat to Japan.

There is one notable absence on South Korea's roster. Veteran infielder Ha-Seong Kim was a key player for the club in 2023. However, he is expected to miss a good portion of the first half of the year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn tendon. This came after Kim signed a one-year, $20 million pact to remain with the Atlanta Braves.

Last time Lee played in the WBC, he was still a member of the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO. That proved to be his final year in that league, as he signed a massive six-year, $113 million contract to join San Francisco.

The speedy outfielder made a name for himself in the KBO and remains a hugely popular player in South Korea. When he makes a great play or hits a home run, the South Korean broadcast that covers Giants games lights up with excitement.

Lee spent seven seasons in the KBO, where he put up a .340/.407/.491 line. This includes a 9.7 percent walk rate, 7.7 percent strikeout rate, and .151 ISO. Lee's career achievements include winning the MVP Award in 2022, receiving six All-Star nods, and earning five Golden Glove Awards. That award is not necessarily for defensive excellence, but is given out to the best overall player at each position.

The 27-year-old outfielder has become a popular player among Giants fans. He completed his first full season in 2025, where he tallied a .735 OPS with eight home runs and 55 RBI in 617 plate appearances. Lee patrolled center field at Oracle Park, but will shift to right field following the addition of Harrison Bader.

Lee will look to lead South Korea in a bounce-back performance in the WBC this time around, and he now carries a pretty cool honor for his country.