Twins Top Prospect Brooks Lee Promoted to Triple-A

[Cody Christie]

One year ago, Brooks Lee made his professional debut in the Twins system. On Thursday, the Twins announced the team’s top prospect was being promoted to Triple-A, where he will be on the doorstep of the big leagues.

Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins announced that the organization’s top prospect Brooks Lee was being promoted to Triple-A St. Paul. Lee, 22, is in his first full professional season after being drafted in 2022. He will be the first player from the first round of the 2022 draft to play at Triple-A. It has been a meteoric rise for one of baseball’s best prospects. 

Minnesota drafted Brooks Lee in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft with the eighth overall pick, and the team was thrilled he was still on the board. Lee played three years at Cal Poly because his dad was the head coach and improved his draft stock each year. In his junior year, he hit .357/.462/.664 (1.125) with 25 doubles and 15 home runs in 58 games. He was widely considered the best college bat in his draft class, and the Twins haven’t been afraid to be aggressive with his promotions. 

Lee made his professional debut nearly one year ago to the day on August 4, 2022. He played four games in the rookie leagues to get his feet wet at the professional level while going 6-for-17 with two doubles. Most of his pro debut was spent at High-A, where he hit .289/.395/.454 (.848) with four doubles and four home runs in 25 games. Wichita was headed to the Texas League playoffs, so the Twins promoted Lee to Double-A for the stretch run. In seven postseason games (three with Cedar Rapids and four with Wichita), Lee hit .400, striking out just twice in 30 at-bats.

After participating in big-league spring training, the Twins assigned Lee to Double-A to start the 2023 season. Lee hit .292/.365/.476 (.841) with 11 home runs and 31 doubles. He leads all Double-A hitters with 42 extra-base hits and 31 doubles. He began the season with a 10-game hit streak and had hits in 16 of the 19 April games. During July, his bat really started to heat up as he slashed .365/.433/.600 (1.033) with five doubles and five home runs. Before the promotion, he was amid an eight-game hitting streak. 

Defensively, the Twins drafted Lee as a shortstop, and he has continued to play the position throughout his professional career. Some evaluators believe he will need to move to third base as he continues to add muscle to his frame. The Twins believe his arm, instincts, and hands are good enough to stick at shortstop for the long term. Minnesota has Carlos Correa playing shortstop, so transitioning to another defensive position is still possible. 

By many national rankings, Lee is the consensus top Twins prospect, with recently-signed Walker Jenkins also in the discussion. MLB Pipeline ranks Lee as baseball’s 18th-best prospect, while Baseball America ranks him 34th in their most recent rankings. The switch-hitter has as good contact skills as anyone in the minor leagues, which makes him such an intriguing prospect.

Some fans might want Lee to be promoted to the Twins during the season’s second half. However, it seems more likely for the team to give Lee a chance to adjust to the Triple-A level. Lee can obviously change that plan with a strong performance in St. Paul, but it’s clear the team thinks highly of him with the way they have promoted him over the last year. 

What are your opinions on Lee’s performance so far in his professional career? Will he make his big-league debut in 2023? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[Dman]

We will see how AAA goes but I think they could promote him to the MLB club this year if they wanted to.  Probably tough to find room for him though unless there are more injuries. 

I had my issues with his ability to generate power but never with his approach.  He had some bad BABIP luck in the first half but since he started hitting the ball harder it seems like more balls are dropping in.  All of his numbers look solid and I think he will translate well to MLB when the time comes.  Glad they moved him to AAA so he can see more pitchers that are closer to MLB. I expect his numbers to remain pretty much the same as his approach is solid and results should be as well.

[Karbo]

Another infielder. So looking into the future we have Lewis, Lee, Julian, Martin AK, Polo, and Miranda. Looks like they better get some of these guys ready to play OF and clear up the DH spot.

[Jocko87]

3 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Another infielder. So looking into the future we have Lewis, Lee, Julian, Martin AK, Polo, and Miranda. Looks like they better get some of these guys ready to play OF and clear up the DH spot.

Just like making a trade?  Or actually make a trade.  It won't matter if they don't hit but I've been screaming for Miranda and Julien at least to start shagging balls.  Play by the wall and chuck it back in, go hit, repeat.  Its probably Miranda's only chance to see big league time.

[MNBearCat]

6 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Another infielder. So looking into the future we have Lewis, Lee, Julian, Martin AK, Polo, and Miranda. Looks like they better get some of these guys ready to play OF and clear up the DH spot.

Martin seems destined for a utility role, and if Miranda recovers well enough to factor into their infield plans, he will have surprised me.

[Doctor Gast]

7 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Another infielder. So looking into the future we have Lewis, Lee, Julian, Martin AK, Polo, and Miranda. Looks like they better get some of these guys ready to play OF and clear up the DH spot.

As far as true INF we have Lewis, Lee, Correa, Polanco and Martin to play 3B, SS & 2B. Julien, AK, & Miranda are primary 1B. AK & Martin have played OF & should play a lot there, Julien should stay at 1B and Miranda can split some at 1B & DH. Once Lee establishes himself at 3B at the MLB level, Polanco is gone but not before.

[gman]

I think Polanco's future on the Twins could very well be dictated by how well Lee looks at 3A. They may not bring Lee up this year, but if he plays well enough I expect them to clear a spot for him next spring..

Next year's starting infield at some point will be Kirilloff 1B, Lee 2B, Correa SS, Lewis 3B. Martin can play center field with Buxton maybe playing 50 games in Left field. Julian utility /Dh and Miranda I have no idea where. Wallner in RF.

[Trov]

16 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

As far as true INF we have Lewis, Lee, Correa, Polanco and Martin to play 3B, SS & 2B. Julien, AK, & Miranda are primary 1B. AK & Martin have played OF & should play a lot there, Julien should stay at 1B and Miranda can split some at 1B & DH. Once Lee establishes himself at 3B at the MLB level, Polanco is gone but not before.

There is also the possibilities of trades for areas of need as well.  Martin has shown ability to play OF, and Lewis could do it too if needed, despite the freak injury he got. 

[Linus]

I really like that he is a well rounded hitter. We need more of that on our big league club. 

[Kenny Powers]

This is great news.  They are doing well in the draft.  It's the trades that seem to be challenging part for this regime.

My hope is that Lee and Lewis might provide some pressure to Correa.  We're paying him $33M/Yr. and he's batting .220 with a lower OPS than Willi Castro.  We need better.  No need to move Lee off SS just yet.  It's good to have options.

[Nashvilletwin]

It’s happening…….!

This is a great sign that the transition to a new young core is firmly on its way.  The old young core of Rosario, Sano, Kepler, Polanco and, yes, even Buxton did ok, but not great.  They were mostly competitive year-in and year- out and gave us one truly exciting season.  But they could never provide any post-season magic. A couple of them (probably Rosario and Polanco) came close to reaching their potentials, but no one ever truly became a dependable, multi-year close to star player.

2023 should represent the end of that core’s window. A new core of Lewis, Lee, Kiriloff, Julien, Wallner, and Jeffers should be fully arriving in 2024. With Correa, a hopefully a productive Buxton, and some decent controllable depth on the bump, this new core should play competitive, exciting baseball and open wide a new window for several years.  Perhaps a few others, like Larnach, Miranda, Martin, Gordon and Rodriguez (in ‘25) can join the band as well.

The key to making this all a reality, of course, is that these young players continue to improve once making the bigs.  It’s a fair question to ask whether Rocco is the leader to ensure that development not only happens, but is maximised to the greatest extent possible.

As a die hard Twins fan, I’m still excited to see where this season ends up.  But I’m also ready to get through this season of transition and “one and dones” to get to our exciting new era.

[SF Twins Fan]

Going through the 2022 draft and the only player, at this moment, I would take over Brooks Lee is Jackson Holiday for obvious reasons.

[DocBauer]

Great news! Now, let's see a few more deserving/interesting promotions.

Lee has absolutely fast tracked and not only looks like the real deal, but might be adding additional power. I'm excited to see him with the Twins, but I'm not going to predict he begins 2024 with them. I'm confident it will all play out in a very successful way.

It is a little confusing to see where everyone fits. In a ideal situation, Lee and Lewis would man 3B/2B in some combination, and be backups to Correa at SS with Kirilloff at 1B. Julien could play 1B/2B/DH. Then toss in Miranda at 3B/1B/DH, or, another utility player, and you have a tremendous INF!

But with CF a question mark, and Buxton also being one, and obviously part of the CF situation, DH becomes affected. Thus, I can also see a scenario where Julien sticks at 2B and Lewis moves to the OF on a regular basis, still able to play anywhere in the INF.

It's never fun to have worries about a player or position, CF/DH/Buxton in this case. But it is a fun problem to have a lot of really good young ballplayers to have to "fit in" the best combination because there are so many solid variations to do so. And Lee is definitely part of that. And while he could play 2B quite well I'm sure, and be solid at SS, and should still be able to cover it in relief of Correa, something about him just speaks of 3B to me.

Can't wait to see him!

 

[jmlease1]

Congrats to Brooks Lee, who certainly deserved the promotion.

His approach at the plate is pretty excellent, and I think there's still more to unlock there as he matures and gets more experience. There's still some additional power potential in there, but I wouldn't be surprised if he simply racks up some additional hits as well. he would look awfully good hitting behind Ed Julien and in front of Carlos Correa in the #2 hole next season, I think.

It will be interesting to see how they shuffle the infield a bit for next season. I think there's a real possibility that Lee slides to 3B and Lewis goes to 2B (my feeling is that Lee's arm plays better at 3B and Lewis' speed plays better at 2B, but they should both do fine at either spot). Would not mind at all an infield of Lee, Correa, Lewis, and Julien! (Kirilloff in LF and backing up 1B, Wallner in RF, hopefully Buxton back in CF, Martin as the super utility guy...there's some exciting possibilities if they can get/stay healthy)

Biggest thing Lee still needs to work on right now is his ability to attack LHP while hitting from the right-hand side. he's not bad or anything, but right now he's much more effective as a lefty hitter; if he can start punishing LHP he's going to be an incredibly tough out and a major asset at the top of the lineup.

I'm a big fan of Brooks Lee. Great prospect, can't wait to see him at Target Field.

[Mike Sixel]

Big fan. 

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Certainly he deserved it. His overall numbers from AA are good enough, especially for his age, but his recent numbers are even better. This promotion will give him time to acclimate to AAA and prove himself there with an adequate runway towards an early 2024 MLB debut.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, SF Twins Fan said:

Going through the 2022 draft and the only player, at this moment, I would take over Brooks Lee is Jackson Holiday for obvious reasons.

Zach Neto has an argument as well. Depending on how you view their respective upsides. He's got 1.6 bWAR and a 99 OPS+ in 66 MLB games while playing a more than reasonable SS. Only question is how much more there is in his bat. Lee is doing just about everything we could've hoped for, though! And if Jenkins can be this year's Holiday I'm going to be quite thrilled.

[twinstalker]

I think he needed every AB he got at AA.  I don't see anything special in him (star-wise), but compared to the system he definitely stands out, including probably vs a number of MLB Twins hitters.  Keep an eye on his home/away stats when evaluating how he does at AAA.  CHS is a hitter's dream.

Am I right that Boras is not his agent, so the Twins have a chance of keeping him more than six years?  Unfortunately, Boras is still his quasi-boss, as he will determine his teammates, including the departures of Lewis and Kirilloff probably just about the time they get healthy in their careers.

[Hashim]

2 hours ago, MNBearCat said:

Martin seems destined for a utility role, and if Miranda recovers well enough to factor into their infield plans, he will have surprised me.

Yeah Martin is definitely going to outfield and be a utility man. 

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

As far as true INF we have Lewis, Lee, Correa, Polanco and Martin to play 3B, SS & 2B. Julien, AK, & Miranda are primary 1B. AK & Martin have played OF & should play a lot there, Julien should stay at 1B and Miranda can split some at 1B & DH. Once Lee establishes himself at 3B at the MLB level, Polanco is gone but not before.

So far as call-ups, I see Dallas Keuchel is up and Joe Ryan in out with a 'groin strain'. And Buxton is sitting again today against a lefty 

[terrydactyls]

No one has mentioned the promotion of Kiersey Jr. and Severino to the Saints.  Congrats to them also.

[Patzky]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

We will see how AAA goes but I think they could promote him to the MLB club this year if they wanted to.  Probably tough to find room for him though unless there are more injuries. 

I had my issues with his ability to generate power but never with his approach.  He had some bad BABIP luck in the first half but since he started hitting the ball harder it seems like more balls are dropping in.  All of his numbers look solid and I think he will translate well to MLB when the time comes.  Glad they moved him to AAA so he can see more pitchers that are closer to MLB. I expect his numbers to remain pretty much the same as his approach is solid and results should be as well.

I have this pipedream scenario that when Royce Lewis is recalled they'll bring Lee along for his cup of coffee too. 

[Jocko87]

7 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Congrats to Brooks Lee, who certainly deserved the promotion.

His approach at the plate is pretty excellent, and I think there's still more to unlock there as he matures and gets more experience. There's still some additional power potential in there, but I wouldn't be surprised if he simply racks up some additional hits as well. he would look awfully good hitting behind Ed Julien and in front of Carlos Correa in the #2 hole next season, I think.

He seemed to unlock it over the course of the year at Wichita.  From my remembery I had thought he got off to a slow start for a couple months and came on lately.  When I looked at the splits he was actually pretty good all year and turned it up a notch in July.  It will be interesting to see him adjust in AAA.  He seems to just keep turning it up with the competition. 

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, Patzky said:

I have this pipedream scenario that when Royce Lewis is recalled they'll bring Lee along for his cup of coffee too. 

No roster space for Lee along with Lewis. Maybe in September with the expansion of rosters.

[Beast]

8 hours ago, Karbo said:

Another infielder. So looking into the future we have Lewis, Lee, Julian, Martin AK, Polo, and Miranda. Looks like they better get some of these guys ready to play OF and clear up the DH spot.

Lewis hasn’t been healthy for more than a few weeks at a time in 4 years. Polanco has injury problems.  Martin and Miranda stink.

Problem solved.

Are we the only fan base that is always agonizing about having too many players that aren’t any good?  Remember the outfield logjam hysteria of a couple years ago?  Now we have none.  You can never have too much depth.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

For 2024, who is the weakest fielding infielder among Lee, Lewis and Julien? It is Julien. The other 2 can play major league  shortstop. Therefore leave Lewis and Lee flanking Correa in some manner and move Julien to LF. It shouldn't be too difficult for Julien to manage playing LF. The Twins would have 3 shortstops playing 3B, SS and 2B. I like that infield with Kirilloff at 1B. Now about CF? I'm perfectly happy with MAT manning CF and Willi Castro at utility and designated runner and Solano at pinch hitter and utility. Farmer can back up at SS, 2b and 3B. Wallner in RF. Jeffers and Vasquez at catcher. 

[gil4]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

No roster space for Lee along with Lewis. Maybe in September with the expansion of rosters.

And with the expansion just being two extra guys*, and at least one of them will be a pitcher.  I think Lee's ETA is still 2024.  

 

* - I think 28 is the expanded roster size. If it's more than that, then that obviously improves his odds.

[Hashim]

11 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

No one has mentioned the promotion of Kiersey Jr. and Severino to the Saints.  Congrats to them also.

Yeah they’ve been excellent all year. Don’t know why they keep starting old/no potential guys like Contreras when they could’ve called up Kiersey Jr. along time ago. 

[weitz41]

Congrats to Brooks Lee. Looking like the Twins IF of the future is almost all there.

I'd like to band wagon a little on the other two promoted to AAA. Severino if he keeps it up may have earned a 40-mam spot to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Also, one of the 1st international signings by this FO to get to the, may be an MLB material point.

Keirsey is old for a prospect but if I remember correctly had a substantial hip injury in college that set him back and sat through 2020. My point is his birthdate shouldn't mean anything other the number of candles on his bday cake.

I'm thrilled about Lees promotion. But the other two seemed far less likely to get to this point and I am excited to see what they can do as well.

[Doctor Gast]

16 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Congrats to Brooks Lee, who certainly deserved the promotion.

His approach at the plate is pretty excellent, and I think there's still more to unlock there as he matures and gets more experience. There's still some additional power potential in there, but I wouldn't be surprised if he simply racks up some additional hits as well. he would look awfully good hitting behind Ed Julien and in front of Carlos Correa in the #2 hole next season, I think.

It will be interesting to see how they shuffle the infield a bit for next season. I think there's a real possibility that Lee slides to 3B and Lewis goes to 2B (my feeling is that Lee's arm plays better at 3B and Lewis' speed plays better at 2B, but they should both do fine at either spot). Would not mind at all an infield of Lee, Correa, Lewis, and Julien! (Kirilloff in LF and backing up 1B, Wallner in RF, hopefully Buxton back in CF, Martin as the super utility guy...there's some exciting possibilities if they can get/stay healthy)

Biggest thing Lee still needs to work on right now is his ability to attack LHP while hitting from the right-hand side. he's not bad or anything, but right now he's much more effective as a lefty hitter; if he can start punishing LHP he's going to be an incredibly tough out and a major asset at the top of the lineup.

I'm a big fan of Brooks Lee. Great prospect, can't wait to see him at Target Field.

You're spot on, Jmlease!