Lee taking move to right field in stride

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants thought they landed their center fielder of the future when they signed Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million deal in December 2023. But two years into the contract, Lee will be moving off the position.

With newcomer Harrison Bader expected to slot into center field, Lee will shift to right field for the Giants this year. The 27-year-old has never played the corner outfield in the Majors, but he said he spoke with manager Tony Vitello and general manager Zack Minasian about the new arrangement and took the decision in stride.

“It was a smooth conversation,” Lee said via interpreter Justin Han on Friday. “I know that bringing in Bader is going to make the outfield way better. It wasn’t hard to make a decision saying that I’ll move over to right field. Whatever it takes to help the team out.

“I played that position back in the KBO. Going back to the past season, if I played better in center field, the organization would’ve kept me in center field. But whatever it takes to make the team better. I’ve always been [for] the team.”

Lee recorded minus-5 Outs Above Average in center field last season, but the Giants believe he’ll be a better fit in right field, especially since he ranks in the 91st percentile in arm strength. Bader’s arrival should help take some pressure off Lee and left fielder Heliot Ramos, providing a much-needed boost to an outfield unit that tied for last in the Majors with minus-18 OAA in 2025.

“At Oracle, you have to have a center fielder in right field,” Vitello said. “[Lee’s] openness and willingness to go out to right field and train out there has been key. It's going to have to go a step further because our park is unique. The fact that he is a true center fielder, I think, can benefit the outfield play as a whole, because I know last year it wasn't as good as it needed to be.”

Lee has already started taking fly balls in right field at Scottsdale Stadium this week and said he plans to call former Giants teammate Mike Yastrzemski to get more tips on how to handle the brick wall at Oracle Park.

“I’ll for sure give Yaz a call in a couple weeks and ask him about right field,” Lee said. “You guys know better than anybody else that the right field in Oracle Park [has] so many dynamics and so much going on. I’ll head over there when Spring Training is over and spend a lot of time over there at that corner.”

The Giants started selling tickets for a special “Jung Hoo Crew” section in center field at Oracle Park last year, but they’re still having discussions about whether to relocate the group now that Lee is expected to play right field.

“Maybe put them on a boat on the water?” Lee suggested.

Lee won’t be around Giants camp for the entire spring, as he’s expected to head to Japan next month to serve as the captain for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Korea will compete alongside Japan, Australia, Czech Republic and Chinese Taipei in Pool C at the Tokyo Dome, where action will begin on March 5.

“I know the team’s going to head over there and train all together in two days,” Lee said. “I’ll be heading over there a little late. I’ve always been attending these international competitions as a player, but now I’m going over there as a captain. Also, this is my first time going over there as a Major League Baseball player. I feel like there’s a lot of responsibility that follows with it, so I would like to try my best out there.”

Lee said his goal is to help Korea advance far enough in the tournament to secure a matchup with Giants ace Logan Webb, who is planning to pitch for Team USA.

Lee worked a five-pitch walk against Webb when they faced each other during live batting practice at Scottsdale Stadium on Wednesday, but they know the competition won’t be quite as friendly if they see each other during the WBC.

“I know they’re going to make it to the next round, but it depends on if we get to do it,” Lee said. “I would love to face him over there.”

“I think that’s why I threw him all balls today, just so he doesn’t get to see it,” Webb joked. “But no, it’d be a blast.”