Meet Brooks Lee: The California Kid Making Waves in Twins' Farm System

[Lou Hennessy]

It's been a whirlwind 14 months for the Twins' top prospect, who currently finds himself soaking in everything St. Paul has to offer. But with the help of the various coaches and the countless teammates that have pushed him along the way, the 2022 first-round pick finds himself on the doorstep of achieving his dream of being a big leaguer. 

It's time to get to know the real Brooks Lee. 

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

The Minnesota Twins' roster is built on a foundation of players drafted early in the first round who graduated from their prospect rank to MLB stardom. 

Carlos Correa arrived with his middle-of-the-order bat. Byron Buxton flashed elite defense at every level. Royce Lewis got there with his grit and bounce-back mentality. 

But none of the three had as meteoric of a rise as Brooks Lee (Twins Daily's top-rated prospect in the organization). 

From raking as a star for three years at Cal Poly University, where he had a completely dominant 1.073 OPS in 115 collegiate games, to standing on the doorstep of his MLB career, Lee has had an eventful 14 months in professional ball. But he insists this is only just the beginning. 

"First and foremost, I want to continue to be a good teammate to everybody," Lee said as we watched his teammates wrap up batting practice on Wednesday afternoon. "It's been awesome to be here with everyone [in St. Paul]. We have a really great group of players so I just want to do my best for them."

His first month at the Triple-A level has brought on some new revelations for the product of San Luis Obispo, California. While he's excited to be one step closer to his dream of playing in the big leagues, he's hitting some speed bumps for the first time in his young professional career. In a very small sample size of just 20 games, Lee is slashing .256/.319/.378 (.697 OPS) with a 73 wRC+, meaning his production has been about 27 percent below the league average. 

"The pitching here has been much harder to handle compared to where I was at before. That's no secret," Lee said. "I have to do a better job of getting on base. I think I'll get where I want to be eventually. It's just going to take some time."

Lee has split time between four different minor-league levels since being drafted by the Twins with the eighth overall pick last July. That constant churning between different coaching staffs, teammates, and competition can be daunting to many, but the 22-year-old infielder is taking it all in stride. For Lee, it's all about growth. 

"I had a great off-season last year and came in with a lot more muscle. I want to set myself up to have another healthy offseason this time around," he said. "Every coaching staff and my teammates have taught me a lot about what it means to keep yourself healthy."

Speaking of his teammates, the former Mustang has had no shortage of intriguing names penciled alongside his on his team's lineup cards. From other top prospects to journeyman minor-league lifers, Lee has been able to absorb as much information as possible from his peers at every stage. 

One of those teammates many are excited to see paired with Lee is the Twins rookie sensation Royce Lewis. The former first-overall pick got to play alongside his prospect peer while rehabbing with Triple-A St. Paul in early August. While the stint was brief, it gave Twins Territory a taste of what will come. 

"It was really cool because he's just such a great player, and he backs it up by being so knowledgeable," Lee said. "It's cool to see how he goes about his business before, during and after a game."

The idea that he and Lewis could be a tandem in the Twins' infield for years to come made Lee smirk. He acknowledged that the two will do their best to build off each other's success as they continue to develop. Fans saw a preview of this potential on August 11th, when both players belted emphatic home runs, leading the Saints to a victory. 

"He's definitely got a competitive side to him, that's for sure," Lee said with a chuckle. "And then he's more animated than a lot of guys so it's really fun. The game needs more players like that. Plus, he's a California guy, so there's a little more substance to him." 

Lewis isn't the only big leaguer that Lee has been able to share a dugout with. Byron Buxton (hamstring) and Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) started their respective rehab assignments with the Saints on Wednesday night. 

"I'm sure a lot of guys are going to be following [Buxton] around and trying to pick his brain," Lee said. "It's going to be really special to look out and see him in the outfield behind me."

When he's not looking at the outfielders behind him, Lee has been taking in the experience of being in the Twin Cities for the first time. True city life has been a fun development for a kid who grew up in the California countryside in San Luis Obispo. 

"It's been really fun to be in a city like St. Paul where we can reach so much just by walking," Lee said. "I've had a truly terrible time navigating all of the one-way streets you have here, but otherwise I've been loving it."

One added benefit of having a Triple-A affiliate so close is sharing resources with the MLB club or having a quick drive over to Target Field upon getting called up. 

"Just ask Fundy," Lee exclaimed while referencing Kody Funderburk's unexpected call-up earlier this week. "He found out at like 3 PM that day and made it over to Minneapolis in no time for their game that night. That's crazy."

What's crazy is that the Twins were able to use their eighth overall pick to select a player that drew top-three talent buzz in his class and to have him standing at Target Field's doorstep just 14 months later. It may not happen this season, but Lee will eventually find himself making that drive across town for his major league debut soon. Much to his chagrin, here's hoping that it's a one-way street that leads him there. 

What do you think about Brooks Lee's first full season of professional ball? When do you think he'll debut, and what position do you want to see him play? Let us know your first impressions in the comment section below.

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[TwinsHater1991]

His first season has been amazing! I  really am high on the dude, think he'll be better than what evaluators were seeing back in predraft. 2024 is the year he'll debut then he'll probably play full time in 2025. I'm pretty sure he'd be playing either third or second but probably second full time as Polanco either leaves in FA or is traded. 

[HrbieFan]

The infield logjam will be interesting next year. Lee is too valuable to replace Farmer, so it will probably take an injury at the big club for him to get some real run next year.  Haven't seen the power that I thought he would show on a consistent basis, but it is there.  

[tony&rodney]

Brooks Lee has developed his baseball skills at a fast rate. It takes time to hone talent and experience the differences at each level leading up to being a an MLB player. Lee has done a remarkable job of staying consistent and meeting the challenges faced at AA and AAA thus far. He projects as a regular starter in the big leagues but does not have the projection of a superstar. There is quite a bit of value in a player that can be counted on to be routinely penciled into the lineup. Jorge Polanco has been a terrific asset for the Twins and Brooks Lee could have a similar value despite the differences between the two athletes. It may be 2025 before Lee is a regular  but he has a bright future.

[Brandon]

I would like to see Lee at third.  Problem is LEwis is also at third and as soon as Miranda’s shoulder heals he also belongs at third.  
I will just be content when he is up full time getting full time playing time.  Some of the doubles he is hitting will turn into HRs as he fills out.  I expect to see a .280 ave 20-25 HRs and 25-30 2Bs per season.  

[arby58]

32 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I would like to see Lee at third.  Problem is LEwis is also at third and as soon as Miranda’s shoulder heals he also belongs at third.  
I will just be content when he is up full time getting full time playing time.  Some of the doubles he is hitting will turn into HRs as he fills out.  I expect to see a .280 ave 20-25 HRs and 25-30 2Bs per season.  

Lee hasn't demonstrated the power you'd like at third base - Lewis is a better fit. Miranda is also not a particularly good defensive player (at first or third), so he is going to have to hit (and a lot) to be more than a platoon player - he does have the advantage of being a right handed hitter in a Twins system that is more loaded on the left hand side of the plate. That said, Lewis and Correa are right handed and Lee is a switch hitter. Miranda may have to go to first base (where he didn't look great) to find a position other than DH (where Julien and/or Buxton also reside, at least at the moment).

[DocBauer]

I'm going to say he's up and ready about mid season. No matter how well he's done, he was facing college arms just over 12 months ago and he's on the doorstep to facing ML arms on a daily basis. That takes a little time, and the power is starting to bloom

I'm still not sure where he fits. I'm sure he would be great at 2B, but I just keep getting this gut feeling he might be best at 3B. Either way, he and Lewis can cover SS when Correa needs a day off and can help form one of the best INF in all of MLB with Julien and Kirilloff. (Lewis still might end up in the OF).

Can't wait to see how this plays out.

[Dave Borton]

Fielding average:
2022: .935
2023: .958

[Nine of twelve]

To get to AAA at age 22 just one year after being drafted puts him ahead of schedule. If he continues this rate of development he may be forcing his way to the majors next season. That would be a good problem to have. 

[nclahammer]

Great report, LOTS to be excited about this kid.