Young-ha Lee

Young-ha Lee (이영하)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.

• High School Sunrin Internet High School

• Born November 1, 1997 in Seoul South Korea

BR register page

Biographical Information

Young-ha Lee has pitched in the KBO and for the South Korea national baseball team.

Lee represented South Korea in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, making six appearances. He was 2-1 with a save and a 4.35 ERA, fanning 13 in 10 1/3 IP. He beat Cuba's Pablo Guillén, lost to the US's Austin Bergner, saved the game against Australia and then topped Mitch Neunborn in the Bronze Medal Game. He tied for the event lead in games pitched and in wins.

He was drafted by the Doosan Bears in the first round of the 2016 KBO draft, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in his first season. Lee was 3-3 with a 5.55 ERA in 2017, then he had a 10-3 record with a 5.28 ERA and 2 holds in 2018. The Bears lost the 2018 Korean Series to the SK Wyverns.

Lee broke out in 2019 at 17-3, 5.28, and he was 2nd in wins (3 behind Josh Lindblom). He was the starter of the 2019 Korean Series Game 2, but he allowed 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings. The Bears swept the Kiwoom Heroes. He then represented South Korea in the 2019 Premier 12. Lee pitched a shutout inning against Australia, and he completed 1 1/3 shutout innings to get the win over Yosimar Cousín of Cuba. Lee struck out 2 in 1 1/3 shutout innings against the USA, and he allowed a run in 2 innings versus Mexico. In the Gold Medal Game against Japan, Lee pitched 2/3 of a shutout inning, but Korea still lost by a 10-8 score.

The Seoul native slumped to 5-11 though his ERA improved to 4.64 in 2020, and he was 6th in losses (tied with Hee-kwan Yoo and Jong-hun Park). Lee struggled in the 2020 Korean Series. He allowed 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning in Game 2, and he surrendered another run in 1/3 of an inning in Game 4. The NC Dinos beat the Bears in 6 games. Lee was used as a swingman in 2021, and he went 5-6 with a 6.29 ERA. He appeared in the 2021 Korean Series, but he continued his bad results, and he allowed 3 runs in 1 2/3 innings to get the loss in Game 1. Lee succeeded Ariel Miranda in the 6th inning in Game 3, and he gave up a single and 2 walks to load the bases. He fanned Jared Hoying and forced Seong-woo Chang to ground into a double play to escape the jam, but he then walked two and gave up a run in the 7th inning. The Bears were swept by the kt Wiz.

Lee was 6-8 with a 3.93 ERA in 2022, but he was involved in a bullying scandal in August, and he was suspended for the rest of the season; it was proved that he was innocent. He struggled again in 2023 as he was 5-3 with a 5.49 ERA, and he became a full-time reliever in 2024. Lee notched 5 holds and 2 saves with a 3.99 ERA in 59 games, and he made it onto Korea's roster for the 2024 Premier 12.

Lee's repertoire included a fastball (peak 96.3 mph), cutter and forkball.

Sources

• 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup
• Namu wiki