The Case for Moving Brooks Lee to First Base (For Now)

[Nick Nelson]

It would be a dramatic (short-term) slide down the defensive spectrum ... but could move Minnesota's top prospect into an immediate – and permanent – impact role in the big leagues.

Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

At Twins spring training this year, there was plenty of buzz and energy afloat, owing to a number of factors. Among them: new team uniforms and branding, the stunning return of Carlos Correa, and (above all) the first remotely normal camp since before COVID. 

I had the opportunity to cover the team for a week in March, and definitely enjoyed soaking in all of those sources of good vibes. But there was one player in particular who naturally stood out to me. It was one of the least-tenured players in the organization – drafted just nine months earlier – and the youngest player in big-league camp.

It was obvious at the time: Brooks Lee was special, and that was no secret. In five months since, that has only grown more apparent.

After accruing 42 at-bats in spring training, second-most of any Twins player, Lee opened his season at Double-A. It was a pretty aggressive assignment for a player drafted the previous summer, but hardly a surprise with Lee, who joined Wichita for the playoffs last fall.

He took the challenge in stride, as usual. Lee's performance during the first half in Double-A was solid, if unspectacular. Then, as he settled in and made his adjustments, the 22-year-old started to heat up. He slashed .365/.433/.600 in July to earn a promotion to St. Paul earlier this month, putting him one step away from the majors. 

Lee is currently experiencing an early learning curve at Triple-A, but history tells us it's only a matter of time before he masters this level like each before it. From there, it becomes a matter of fit on the big-league team. 

He's spent time at both shortstop and third base in the minors this year, and most figure he'll end up at the latter. But that position is hopefully going to be occupied on the Twins by Royce Lewis, at least for the rest of this year. 

Lee's future defensive home was a subject of conversation when I chatted with him this spring for a Twins Daily story. I asked him if he'd received any indication from the team about playing other positions, given that Correa was freshly minted the biggest free agent contract in franchise history. 

"Nothing yet so far," he said. "I can take control of myself by trying to be as good as I can at all three infield positions, so I just continue to practice those. Whatever they ask me to do. If they want me to play right field, I'll play right field. If they want me to play first, I'll play first."

Well.

That last part, clearly an afterthought at the time, may represent Lee's best chance to make an immediate impact on the Twins. 

The void at first base for Minnesota

Joey Gallo was the Opening Day starter at first base, and the only reason he remains the primary starter there today is because every alternative fell by the wayside. Jose Miranda and Alex Kirilloff are both sidelined indefinitely. Donovan Solano is 35 and hobbled. 

The Twins are so hard-up for help at the position that they started catcher Christian Vázquez there on Sunday. 

First base is essentially the only position for the Twins that is not comfortably set, and it's nowhere close. The addition of a true difference-maker at first is perhaps the biggest outside boost the offense could realistically hope to receive, given its makeup. They passed up their chance to swing big at the deadline, but that doesn't mean they're entirely out of options.

Could Brooks Lee handle first base?

I don't want to fall into the trap of downplaying the difficulty of playing first base in the majors. That inclination always reminds me of my favorite scene in Moneyball, when Billy Beane tries to allay Scott Hatteberg's misgivings about moving to the position by assuring him, "It's not that hard. Tell him Wash." To which Ron Washington replies, "It's incredibly hard."

First base might be at the bottom of the defensive spectrum, but that doesn't mean it's unimportant, or that a certain skill set isn't required to be effective there. I think a dismissal of this reality is largely fueling the angst and confusion around Minnesota's refusal to try Edouard Julien at first.

If you don't trust a guy to play the position with sound mechanics, handle fast-developing situations, and salvage wayward throws with his glove, that can be very problematic. There are a LOT of plays running through first base.

With that said, many players take well to the position despite having little or no experience there. These are often large-bodied guys who came up at spots like catcher or third base. Guys like Hatteberg, or Gallo, or Vázquez, or Joe Mauer, or Miguel Sanó, or ... Brooks Lee.

I have little doubt Lee could handle putting on a first base mitt for the final stretch of the season, with the understanding it's a short-term arrangement driven by extreme need. The best version of the future Twins core features him at the hot corner.

The big question is whether the best version of the current Twins would have him on the opposite side, playing across from Lewis.

A bat worth betting on?

It bears repeating: Lee has not exactly gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A. Through eight games he is 7-for-33 (.212) with one extra-base hit, one walk, and six strikeouts. Unless and until that changes, this subject is moot. But I'm operating under the assumption it will change, quickly, and if so Lee becomes a very intriguing piece in the team's planning.

While his standing atop the defensive spectrum was part of his appeal at atop of the first round, let's make no mistakes: Lee's biggest selling point as a draft pick was his bat. He was among the best and most polished college hitters in the country, and that tool has carried him as a pro, where he's slashed .290/.363/.458 while rising faster than all but one other player from the class. (Zach Neto, who's holding his own as the Angels' starting shortstop.)

If Lee gets locked in, his offensive profile is pretty much exactly what the Twins could desperately use: a switch-hitting, disciplined contact machine who can spray line drives and has a knack for making adjustments. 

 

There's also a good chance he could flop. Lee is not Superman, even if he currently plays with an S on his chest (two, actually). It would be a lot to ask of a kid barely one year removed from being drafted. 

But everything I've seen from Lee leads me to believe he might be up to the task. There's a reason I included him on my list of five reinforcements who could make a pivotal impact for the Twins this year back in April. The previous four have already arrived, with varying degrees of success and longevity. Lee is the last big card they have left to play.

"There are a variety of different ways Lee could slot in for the Twins, even as he continues to play shortstop exclusively at Wichita," I wrote. "His switch-hitting bat is the real attraction, and the club will be hard-pressed to keep it bottled in the minors all summer if they feel he can help their contending cause."

Four months later, circumstances could have hardly come together more favorably to pave way for a meaningful late-season debut. I wouldn't say it's likely by any means, but I've gotta think it's on the table.

When it comes to securing this division and ending a 20-year postseason curse, everything needs to be.

View full article

[RpR]

"It bears repeating: Lee has not exactly gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A. Through eight games he is 7-for-33 (.212) with one extra-base hit, one walk, and six strikeouts."

End of story.

[GNess]

Lee's readiness for MLB may still be in development. But players with his tools and approach sometimes jump directly to MLB from AA. The 30 or so AB's at AAA are not enough to scuttle the possibility. The Twins need offense especially dudes who can put the ball in play consistently.

 

[glunn]

36 minutes ago, RpR said:

"It bears repeating: Lee has not exactly gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A. Through eight games he is 7-for-33 (.212) with one extra-base hit, one walk, and six strikeouts."

End of story.

The OP made it clear that this makes sense only if Lee starts hitting better in AAA.

 

44 minutes ago, Nick Nelson said:

Unless and until that changes, this subject is moot.

 

[tony&rodney]

48 minutes ago, RpR said:

"It bears repeating: Lee has not exactly gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A. Through eight games he is 7-for-33 (.212) with one extra-base hit, one walk, and six strikeouts."

End of story.

Actually, that is just the beginning of the story. Literally, Brooks Lee has only been in AAA for a little while. Nobody in baseball is making judgments that quickly, which is why a player who enters a level red hot doesn't get immediately sent up. There are so many facets to playing baseball and learning the adjustments at each level. Lee will be fine.

I'm not thinking that the Twins will turn to Lee at any point in 2023, but he is an enticing study of a quick learner.

Also, I'm with Washington that first base is not an easy position to play well. Mauer is an exceptional athlete, but the other guys have only been playing first base out of necessity. When is Alex Kirilloff going to heal? Of the other options, I'm wondering if Jorge Polanco would be adequate at first base.

[darin617]

Is there any point into rushing him up this season? Nobody can actually think the Twins have a good enough team to even get out of the first round. And to be honest, the Twins still have win the division before we get to that point.

[Linus]

The premise of this is dubious at best - click bait. If the Twins ever did this the FO should be fired immediately. The kid is one of the Twins most valuable assets. You don’t screw with his development with a stunt like this. He will be up soon enough if handled properly. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

They brought up Kirilloff to debut in the 2020 playoffs, so it wouldn't be coming out of nowhere if Lee made his debut in 2023.

However, the Twins have a nice lineup right now, hitting better and making better contact, so unless things go downhill fast at some point, it would surprise me.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

The premise of this is dubious at best - click bait. If the Twins ever did this the FO should be fired immediately. The kid is one of the Twins most valuable assets. You don’t screw with his development with a stunt like this. He will be up soon enough if handled properly. 

You think that this would somehow ruin his future?

To the OP, Severino is the next first baseman....

[dxpavelka]

"First base is essentially the only position for the Twins that is not comfortably set:"  Meanwhile, Sano eats Twinkies in the Dominican.

 

[DocBauer]

Sorry Nick, I usually love and agree with most of your perspectives. But this one is wrong.

As much as I love Lee, and Lewis, and a handful of other prospects that are leading us finally allowed the opportunity, a couple of weeks of Lee at AAA to do this is just not right.

Not only should Gallo have been dumped yesterday, but there are others probably more prepared to contribute NOW vs the recently promoted Lee.

Williams should have been brought up a couple weeks ago to play 1B and Gallo dumped in a 1 for 1 swap. Who cares if Williams is a RH hitter and Gallo is LH. A lousy LH hitter, amongst the worst in all of MLB, despite ONE good game, is still a lousy hitter and a black hole. It would be almost impossible for ANYONE to hit and perform worse than Gallo the past few months.

 And, IMO, we're also talking about an organization that purports to be forward thinking, but has been so stubborn and concrete that they haven't thought about Larnach at 1B, even CONSIDERED Julien or Polanco at 1B, but have suddenly moved Severino and mediocre veteran Garlick to 1B. But now we want to consider making a too early move for our #1 prospect to be added to the 40 man, when he's not ready, to play 1B?

I love MOST of what our FO has done in their tenure. But there are things they have done, and not done, in 2023 to lose some of my confidence. And just ignoring, and sorta finally accepting the idea that the young talent is better than what they had penciled in is refreshing. 

Isn't that sort of what they have been trying to do all along?

But Lee, as much love and hope as I have for him, to be some kind of savior 13 month out of the 2022 draft and 2 weeks at AAA is misguided. How about we let someone with decent potential,  a little older, more experienced at the higher level, at least get a shot?

 

[stringer bell]

With a four and a half game lead on Cleveland and a bunch of home games coming up on the schedule, I don’t think it is time for a panic move. The puzzle of where all the players will play is interesting, but projecting “the solution” is just speculation. Injuries or disappointing performance usually make the decision. 
 

If Alex Kirilloff can’t play for the rest of the season, then the club might need to do something for the short term (or just continue with Gallo). AFAIK, Kirilloff should be closer to the end of his stint on the IL than the beginning. 
 

The “emergency” (non-40 man) options probably include old friend Kyle Garlick, Chris Williams and Yunior Severino. Does Lee have such a potent bat that he can just move to first base and be better than all of the other options? I don’t think so, as far as this year is concerned. 
 

Adding Lee to the 40-man roster will also likely expose someone the Twins don’t want to lose via a DFA. 

[Brandon]

If the option is Gallo or Lee.  I think using September for them to compete and show who is the better player and better option for the playoffs at 1B is fine by me.  I think Lee can handle that and get used to playing in the majors to be fully prepared for next season and see if he is ready to play for us in the playoffs.

[ToddlerHarmon]

One of the premises of the article is that Solano is not an option: "35 and hobbled". Well he just got 3 hits hobbled, he is hitting lefties and righties well, and his defense doesn't seem to be a hindrance. Plus, he gets on base at a .380 clip. Seems a better option than Gallo, at least.

If you want Lee to come make a splash, put him at third, and move Lewis to CF.

[Doctor Wu]

An intriguing idea, but I don't see that happening this year. Then again, ask me again a month from now after Lee has settled in at AAA. We all know that Brooks Lee has very good hitting tools, but what is the consensus about him as a fielder? Will he be gold glove caliber at any position? Like others, I don't see him sticking at shortstop, and many think third base is his eventual spot. But you know, to me he LOOKS like a first baseman, and I think he could adapt to that position, so the idea of moving him there in the not-too-distant future isn't such a crazy idea. 

[weitz41]

This one took me by surprise. I hadn't even considered Lee at 1st before the article. Which I suppose it the whole point.

If it comes down to it, with the FO stubborn veteran before youth approach, who are you trying to pass through waivers to make this happen? Keep in mind Lewis should be back in a couple weeks and Gordon should not be too far behind.

Assuming no one else is going on the IL or being removed from the roster.

If it was up to me, I'd put Polanco or Julien there and deal with the consequences defensively.

If I'm willing to take the chance on someone making it through waivers my 1st choice would be Chris Williams followed by Severino. Williams has earned the opportunity and appears to be ready. Severino will need to be on the 40-man in Dec or we'll lose him to the Rule 5 draft.

I'd keep Lee in AAA. 

[Karbo]

8 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Actually, that is just the beginning of the story. Literally, Brooks Lee has only been in AAA for a little while. Nobody in baseball is making judgments that quickly, which is why a player who enters a level red hot doesn't get immediately sent up. There are so many facets to playing baseball and learning the adjustments at each level. Lee will be fine.

I'm not thinking that the Twins will turn to Lee at any point in 2023, but he is an enticing study of a quick learner.

Also, I'm with Washington that first base is not an easy position to play well. Mauer is an exceptional athlete, but the other guys have only been playing first base out of necessity. When is Alex Kirilloff going to heal? Of the other options, I'm wondering if Jorge Polanco would be adequate at first base.

I agree that Polo would be a good choice. He isn't small, he's very athletic, and a move may save some wear and tear on his lower body.

[gman]

I think in the shirt term there are several options already mentioned. Long term, I think the Twins should have a month long first base school and try out camp this winter only for players in the system. Invite players like Lewis, Lee, Julian, Larnach, Wallner, Severino & Williams to spend some time learning the ins and outs of firstbase. With the top 3 getting more time in spring training at the position.

The position belongs to Kirilloff full time, but he won't always be available. There is no reason to put yourself in the position of needing to keep a poor performing first base alternate clogging a roster spot.

[mikelink45]

It seems as if the backside of this essay is that we cannot count on Kiriloff.  After multiple years of injury is Alex now considered a lesser bat and not someone to count on going forward?  In three years Alex has only played in 173 games.  And in the minors we know he was also injury prone.  Is he another Buxton?  So sad. 

[Riverbrian]

After this season... there will be at least 5 more years of Carlos Correa.  

Brooks has essentially only played SS in the minors. 

Are we willing to wait until 2029 for the SS job to open up or is it possible that the Brooks Lee path to the major leagues will be at some other position?

If Brooks moves to 1B to fill a need... does it mean forever? Can he move back to SS or 3B? 

I honestly don't understand the concerns. If he can help us at 1B... play him at 1B.  

The questions to ask are:

1. Is he better than players currently on the 26 man?  

2. If So... Is he better by a big enough margin that you are willing to start his clock early and lose someone off the 40 man roster? 

 

 

 

 

 

[wabene]

7 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

is Alex now considered a lesser bat

Huh? American League Hitter of the week lesser? 

[JD-TWINS]

7 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

"First base is essentially the only position for the Twins that is not comfortably set:"  Meanwhile, Sano eats Twinkies in the Dominican.

 

Gallo is better 1B than Sano & he has 20 HR in 254 AB’s. His walk rate is better than Sano’s & he can play all 3 OF positions. He’s a left handed bat v. a predominantly RH pitching league (72-77%at differing times).

They both strike out an alarming rate.

I don’t get the fans that think we are wasting Sano’s prime years by not having him on the club - he had multiple chances & failed. It would be like clamoring for Joey Gallo in ‘25 after 46% K’s & 25 singles this year.

’24: Wallner in LF - Kepler in RF - Kirilloff at 1B

Balance of ‘23 - gotta piece it together with Gallo/Solano until Kirilloff is back. Solano had 3 hits on Sunday so I doubt he’s far from being effective at 1B. Gallo had 4 hits - a walk - 2HR on Saturday. They seem to be OK between them.

[mikelink45]

22 minutes ago, wabene said:

Huh? American League Hitter of the week lesser? 

It is not my judgment - it is my question about moving Lee to 1B if Kiriloff is expected to be back.

[wabene]

22 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

It is not my judgment - it is my question about moving Lee to 1B if Kiriloff is expected to be back.

Oh I get it. No I don't think anyone is questioning AK's bat. He was really rolling, showing how well he could make adjustments, then his body let him down again. The silver lining is his wrist gets a little in-season respite. 

[Trov]

If AK cannot return to form, and Lee gets hot quickly, then the move makes some sense, but that is a lot of ifs.  However, Lee will needed to be added to 40 man roster in next two weeks, or someone will have to get injured in September and cannot return is my understanding of the rules. The Twins will only add Lee to 40 man if they know for sure they will call him up, because they will not want to DFA someone just for the chance Lee will contribute.  That means he has 2 weeks to show he would contribute and then I could see a Lee for Gallo swap, but keep in mind some other guys may be coming off 60 man IL soon, which will complicate the 40 man roster situation. 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

We all know that Brooks Lee has very good hitting tools, but what is the consensus about him as a fielder? Will he be gold glove caliber at any position?

Based on what I've seen at AAA he can definitely handle SS in the majors and would be an immediate gold glove candidate at 1B. He is a very good infielder. He's a coach's kid who could probably give a fielding clinic at every position. I don't know why the Twins would put one of their best fielders out of position at 1B while playing one of their worst fielders (Julien) at 2B, that just seems mind-blowingly stupid. They would be giving up so many outs.

Lee's bat is not ready yet and it likely won't be ready until May of next season at the earliest. It certainly isn't ready for the offensive expectations at 1B.

Play one of the utility guys (Farmer, Castro, Solano, Polanco) at 1B until Kirilloff returns (that's why you have utility players on the roster) unless you get a RH SP who can't throw a changeup in which case you can play Gallo.

[Cory Engelhardt]

If he is one of their best 9 hitters, I absolutely say bring him up. HAVE to have your best lineup healthy and ready to go come playoff time.

He wouldn't have to be called up tomorrow, but in September, I love this idea. 

[saviking]

So basically you have a race between Lee mastering AAA pitchers or Krilloff coming off the injured list. 

I'm against the move for one reason. I'm more concerned about LEE not being rushed to the majors before he's ready than who plays first for the Twins the rest of the year ..

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Two words:  Service Time

They will not let him "grow" while the clock is ticking.  They will want him as ready as possible when he comes up.  His slow AAA start is the most public piece telling us he is not there yet.

[Swing Batter-Batter]

9 hours ago, ToddlerHarmon said:

One of the premises of the article is that Solano is not an option: "35 and hobbled". Well he just got 3 hits hobbled, he is hitting lefties and righties well, and his defense doesn't seem to be a hindrance. Plus, he gets on base at a .380 clip. Seems a better option than Gallo, at least.

If you want Lee to come make a splash, put him at third, and move Lewis to CF.

I was thinking the exact same thing about the Solano comment. Not too bad for a 35 year old hobbled player.  I'd put Solano at 1st base the rest of the season.