Giants' Jung Hoo Lee eager to reunite with teammates after WBC

Outfielder is back from playing for South Korea, looks forward to working with Harrison Bader and Heliot Ramos

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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South Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is back with the San Francisco Giants after playing for his national team in the World Baseball Classic. Lee, along with fellow Giants outfielders Harrison Bader and Heliot Ramos, are excited to reunite and work together after their international tournament experiences. The Giants' coaching staff is emphasizing an aggressive, high-energy approach from the outfield this spring.

Why it matters

The Giants had the worst defensive metrics in Major League Baseball last season, so the team is focused on improving their outfield play. The WBC provided valuable game action and experience for Lee, Bader and Ramos that should help them develop chemistry and cohesion as the Giants' starting outfield.

The details

Lee, who primarily played right field for South Korea, said he wants to spend more time in right during spring training to get comfortable with his new teammates. The Giants' coaching staff, led by manager Tony Vitello, is emphasizing an aggressive, high-energy approach from the outfield this spring after last year's defensive struggles.

  • Lee and Bader recently returned from the World Baseball Classic, while Ramos is expected back soon from Team Puerto Rico.

The players

Jung Hoo Lee

A South Korean outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.

Harrison Bader

The Giants' new center fielder, who also recently returned from playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.

Heliot Ramos

A Giants outfielder who is expected to return soon from playing for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Tony Vitello

The manager of the San Francisco Giants.

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What they’re saying

“We talked about how it's great to open up the door for these other guys to get additional repetitions and show what they can do. But it's kind of gone on long enough is the easiest way to say it. Plus, it's refreshing to see (Lee and Bader).”

— Tony Vitello, Giants manager (sfchronicle.com)

“I do want to spend more time in right field during spring training … and get a lot of time on the field with the boys.”

— Jung Hoo Lee (sfchronicle.com)

“Last season, I think the outfield had a lack of aggressiveness and now, this spring, I feel like we're talking more about being a lot aggressive altogether, and that's what the coaching staff is requiring us to be. … Overall, I feel like we're all in a good spot at the moment.”

— Jung Hoo Lee (sfchronicle.com)

The takeaway

The Giants' outfielders returning from the World Baseball Classic are eager to build chemistry and improve the team's defensive performance after a poor showing in that area last season. Their international tournament experience should help them develop the aggressive, high-energy approach the coaching staff is emphasizing this spring.