While ‘Grandson of the Wind’ Lee Jung-hoo (24, Kiwoom Heroes) declared that he would challenge the Major League (ML) after the 2023 season, many scouts are also in the mood to form a long line in Arizona, USA, the spring camp site of Kiwoom.
According to Kiwoom team officials, Kiwoom will leave Korea at the end of January next year and set up spring camp in Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Arizona, until early March. At a time when many clubs had trouble finding a spring camp site in the United States, Kiwoom got help from the Arizona Diamondbacks to use a training site. An official from the Kiwoom club said, “We helped Arizona to use the training place under good conditions.” “We plan to use the facility at different training times with Arizona players.”
This season, scouts from several ML clubs, including Arizona, visited Gocheok Sky Dome, Kiwoom’s home, to see Lee Jung-hoo and An Woo-jin. This winter, Salt River Fields is expected to attract not a few ML scouts, not to mention Arizona. An official from the Kiwoom team predicted, “There is a high possibility that this will happen” when asked, “Won’t there be a lot of scouts going to the spring camp?”
Salt River Fields will naturally become the showcase site for Lee Jung-hoo. The players also showed a willingness to challenge. Lee Jung-hoo visited the club’s office on the 19th and conveyed his intention to advance overseas. In the case of Lee Jeong-hoo, permission from the club is essential as he has to advance through the posting system (private competitive bidding) rather than a free agent (FA). Kiwoom plans to come to a conclusion after internal discussions when the official work of the club begins in January next year. 안전놀이터
MLB.com also highlighted Lee Jung-hoo. On the 20th, MLB.com said, “Rafael Devers (Boston Red Sox), Manny Machado (San Diego Padres), Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels), etc. Not only that, but KBO superstar Lee Jung-hoo also expressed his desire to come to the MLB.”
MLB.com also said, “Lee Jeong-hoo, known as the most pure hitter in the KBO, only struck out 32 while getting 66 walks.” , the combination of plate discipline (patience at the plate) will help him adapt quickly.” He added, “If you liked Vladimir Guerrero’s ability to knock out any ball he went to, you will love Lee Jung-hoo.”