Lee Jung-hoo Shines in MLB First Half, While Kim Ha-seong and Kim Hye-seong Struggle

The first half of the Major League Baseball season has seen a divergence in fortunes for South Korean players, with San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo emerging as the undisputed star. In his third full season in the majors, Lee has been a consistent presence, playing in 88 games and posting a .302 batting average with 5 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 6 stolen bases. His performance places him seventh overall in MLB batting average and fifth in the National League, marking his best first-half performance to date.

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He has been the only one shining among Korean major leaguers.

Lee's impressive hitting has been highlighted by multiple multi-hit games, including a career-high five hits in a single game on June 1. He also set a new Korean big leaguer record with an 18-game hitting streak, surpassing previous records held by Choo Shin-soo and Kim Ha-seong. Despite a brief stint on the injured list in June due to back pain, Lee maintained strong offensive production, particularly in May and June, solidifying his role as a key player for the Giants.

In stark contrast, Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves has endured a difficult season, marred by injuries and a severe batting slump. After undergoing surgery for a torn tendon in his right middle finger in January, Kim struggled upon his return, hitting just .068 in 27 games post-injury. His defensive prowess remains, but his offensive struggles have limited his playing time, and he recently landed on the injured list again due to finger inflammation, ending his first half on a low note.

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It can be considered Kim Ha-seong's worst season since his MLB debut.

Kim Hye-seong has also faced challenges in his second year in the majors. Despite a strong spring training, he was initially assigned to Triple-A due to the Los Angeles Dodgers' deep roster. Called up in April due to an injury to Mookie Betts, Kim played in 43 games with a .259 average before being optioned back to Triple-A. Manager Dave Roberts cited changes in his swing and inability to properly utilize his lower body as reasons for the demotion. With the Dodgers leading MLB in wins, Kim's path back to the majors appears difficult.

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Manager Dave Roberts said that Kim Hye-seong's swing had changed and he was unable to properly use his lower body.