Jung Hoo Lee Slump: Can Giants Star Regain His Offensive Spark?
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Jung Hoo Lee started the 2025 MLB season on fire after recovering from a torn labrum that cut short his 2024 debut. However, since May 1st, his performance at the plate has plummeted, raising concerns about his ability to be the offensive force the San Francisco Giants need.
The numbers tell a stark story. Since May 1st, Lee is hitting .205 with a .278 OBP and a .324 slugging percentage over 59 games (245 plate appearances). This slump places him among the worst hitters in baseball during this period, a dramatic contrast to his stellar April performance where he slashed .319/.375/.526 in his first 30 games.
Diving Deeper into the Data
While Lee's Statcast page shows strengths in some areas, like squared-up ball contact and chase/whiff rates, his contact data reveals a lack of impactful hits. A particularly concerning statistic is his bat speed, which ranks in the 9th percentile, placing him alongside struggling players.
Interestingly, his expected batting average is higher than his actual average, and his Hard Hit rate, while in the bottom 30%, is comparable to players like All-Star Zach McKinstry. Lee's contact rate is also high, ranking 11th in MLB since May 1st at 87.%. This suggests Lee is making contact, but not necessarily making quality contact.
What's Next for Jung Hoo Lee?
The Giants are undoubtedly working to help Lee rediscover his early-season form. Whether it's mechanical adjustments, a renewed focus on pitch selection, or simply a mental reset, Lee needs to find a way to translate his contact ability into more productive offensive output. The Giants' success may depend on it.