Brooks Lee Has a Chance to Play September Savior for the Twins

[Nick Nelson]

No pressure or anything, kid.

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have been awash in bad news lately. Neither Byron Buxton nor Carlos Correa's injuries have healed as hoped. Alex Kirilloff started ramping up on a rehab assignment and was quickly shut down. Joe Ryan is officially out for the season and Chris Paddack effectively is also. The bullpen has turned into a "this is fine" meme. 

Through it all, there is one positive developing story, and it could do much to offset some of the negative impacts referenced above. Brooks Lee is on the comeback trail from his shoulder injury, and his return looks imminent.

Out since August 8th with a shoulder injury, Lee embarked on a rehab at Triple-A St. Paul this past weekend. After slumping through his final weeks with the Twins, with the injury likely playing a role, Lee's bat has looked rejuvenated for the Saints. He homered in the first at-bat of his rehab and doubled twice in the second. Overall he has a .913 OPS in four games. 

 

It's not totally clear when Lee will be activated to rejoin the big-league club, but he's not far off. At the soonest, Lee could be called back on Friday for the start of a series against Toronto to close out their current home stand. The latest I could see it happening is on Sunday when rosters expand, if there happens to be any timidity about a roster move to make room.

I don't want to set expectations too high for Lee. He's 23 years old. He's played 26 MLB games. And as mentioned, he really struggled for much of that time, slashing .187/.262/.240 in his final 20 games before going on the IL. But again: he was hurt. And before the skid, Lee had notched 11 hits in his first six games, with a double, a homer and eight RBIs. 

It was no mirage. Lee is a great talent who is renowned by evaluators everywhere, ranking as the 16th-best prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline. He has thoroughly outclassed Triple-A pitching with a 1.016 OPS in 24 games at the level. And what's most exciting is that Lee's functional profile presents a crucial fix for some of Minnesota's gravest current needs:

• Willi Castro has been mostly limited to playing shortstop in Correa's absence, preventing Rocco Baldelli from being able to take advantage of the versatility and positional flexibility that made Castro so valuable in the first half. If the Twins trust Lee to play short, at least part-time, it will free up the utilityman to move back into his best role.
• As a result of Castro being stuck at short, he can't play second or center, which means Edouard Julien and Austin Martin are being forced into essentially everyday duty. They look stretched both offensively and defensively. Scaling back their usage will be a positive for the team. 
• Perhaps most critically, the Twins need a spark near the top of their order. Correa and Buxton have left a void, as has Royce Lewis's ongoing slump. Lee had worked his way into that mix, appearing first, third and fourth in the lineup before his production dropped off. His switch-hitting bat can factor against any pitcher.

Right now it's reasonable to feel a sense of looming pessimism around the Twins and their outlook, for a variety of reasons. There's not an abundance of hope on the horizon, with several key players mired in uncertain or unpromising health situations. Lee is an exception, looking strong and healthy as he prepares to rejoin the team for an intense stretch run. The Twins are desperately in need of something approximating his best form.

Like I said, no pressure Brooks.

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[GNess]

There is a short term benefit to adding Lee asap and allowing him to play SS-3B-2B. He is a defensive upgrade at 3B and 2B for sure. His bat is most likely an upgrade as well over Julien and Martin.

Long term he appears to be a future core player who will garner significant experience from participating in a pennant race / fingers crossed postseason games.

He should be in the lineup Friday.

[CRF]

If he's healthy, get him back up here...NOW!

[Jocko87]

I don't think he will be here Friday, it will be Sunday.  The expanded roster deadline is likely messing with the move.  If they send someone down they can't come back until the 10 days and with the short season remaining that's too much.

When he gets there, he has to be the fixture at short until Correa gets back.  Castro needs to move around.  Just play good defense, hit a little and play every day.  No pressure at all. 

He's not a savior, but his presence makes everything else work much better. 

[thelanges5]

Get Lee up now send Julien down and then we can add Varland and Winder on Sunday. This makes us more versatile in the field and gives us a couple extra arms to rest, the bullpen a little more.  

[Whitey333]

A lot of pressure you put on him.  Like you said is last 20 games he hit .187.  And you conveniently blamed the whole thing on him playing while with injuries.  I hope he comes back and provides a spark.  Buxton and Correa?  I think they have become too comfortable riding the injury list bench. I don't think we can count on much from either one in the final month of the season.  $50million of a 124 million payroll oft injured and probably non productive anyway if they even come back due to all the time missed.  

[USAFChief]

16 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

I don't think he will be here Friday, it will be Sunday.  The expanded roster deadline is likely messing with the move.  If they send someone down they can't come back until the 10 days and with the short season remaining that's too much.

When he gets there, he has to be the fixture at short until Correa gets back.  Castro needs to move around.  Just play good defense, hit a little and play every day.  No pressure at all. 

He's not a savior, but his presence makes everything else work much better. 

Of his presence makes everything work better, why wait two games until Sunday?

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

A lot of pressure you put on him.  Like you said is last 20 games he hit .187.  And you conveniently blamed the whole thing on him playing while with injuries.  I hope he comes back and provides a spark.  Buxton and Correa?  I think they have become too comfortable riding the injury list bench. I don't think we can count on much from either one in the final month of the season.  $50million of a 124 million payroll oft injured and probably non productive anyway if they even come back due to all the time missed.  

I doubt this article puts any pressure on him.

You think Buxton and CC could play if they weren't so comfy? Or what are you saying? Just trying to understand your point.

[Jocko87]

Just now, USAFChief said:

Of his presence makes everything work better, why wait two games until Sunday?

Because it will cost them Martin or Julien for 10 days.  Damned if they do, damned if they don't.  If someone gets hurt he will come immediately.  I don't think there is an exception for the September rosters like a doubleheader.

[USAFChief]

6 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Because it will cost them Martin or Julien for 10 days.  Damned if they do, damned if they don't.  If someone gets hurt he will come immediately.  I don't think there is an exception for the September rosters like a doubleheader.

If someone gets hurt, the 10 day minor league rule is waived, and they can recall whoever they optioned.

I don't even know if Lee will help, but seems like they have to try.

 

In any case, the obvious move isn't Julien. It's to finally look themselves in the eye and DFA Farmer. 

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

If someone gets hurt, the 10 day minor league rule is waived, and they can recall whoever they optioned.

I don't even know if Lee will help, but seems like they have to try.

 

In any case, the obvious move isn't Julien. It's to finally look themselves in the eye and DFA Farmer. 

Truth. Also, funny! We both know this FO won't do that. As badly as Julien has played, he's outhit Farmer by a TON. It isn't close, even. 

[bean5302]

17 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Truth. Also, funny! We both know this FO won't do that. As badly as Julien has played, he's outhit Farmer by a TON. It isn't close, even. 

Julien's actually MLB average-ish on the year due to his hot start. In any case, I think it's been mentioned Farmer is viewed as emergency catching depth. Looking at what the Twins have in the minors, I could see why they'd be awfully scared to risk it.

[Craig Arko]

I know I’m bat-sh*t crazy here, but I think Margot goes when Buxton returns, and Farmer for Correa. By then most of the bill has already been paid.

[karcherd]

It doesn't look like Lee will be here tomorrow,  He is not in the lineup for St. Paul and it has been reported he is still in Omaha.  Is there no sense of urgency to help this team.  They are acting like we are in May and we have plenty of time left in the season.

[Jocko87]

4 minutes ago, karcherd said:

It doesn't look like Lee will be here tomorrow,  He is not in the lineup for St. Paul and it has been reported he is still in Omaha.  Is there no sense of urgency to help this team.  They are acting like we are in May and we have plenty of time left in the season.

One day of Lee isn't worth losing another player for 10 days.  It's exactly backwards of how you describe it.  In May it would have already been done.

[karcherd]

1 minute ago, Jocko87 said:

One day of Lee isn't worth losing another player for 10 days.  It's exactly backwards of how you describe it.  In May it would have already been done.

Losing Farmer does not hurt this team, having Lee over Julien makes us better.  We need to win the next two games and stop the skid they are on, put your best team out there.  Move either one of those out,

[USAFChief]

6 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

One day of Lee isn't worth losing another player for 10 days.  It's exactly backwards of how you describe it.  In May it would have already been done.

It seems to me the current situation, less than 30 games left, is considerably more urgent than any day in May.

[KirbyDome89]

43 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Julien's actually MLB average-ish on the year due to his hot start. In any case, I think it's been mentioned Farmer is viewed as emergency catching depth. Looking at what the Twins have in the minors, I could see why they'd be awfully scared to risk it.

They're hanging onto a sub replacement level player to be the 3rd string option at a defensive position he hasn't played in 5 years? Idk. I'm sure the Twins can find an actual C who can't hit if things fall apart at that position.  

[bean5302]

7 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

They're hanging onto a sub replacement level player to be the 3rd string option at a defensive position he hasn't played in 5 years? Idk. I'm sure the Twins can find an actual C who can't hit if things fall apart at that position.  

Either that or Farmer has photos of wild parties attended by Falvey and Bauer together...

[Jocko87]

24 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

It seems to me the current situation, less than 30 games left, is considerably more urgent than any day in May.

But losing a player for 40% of the season vs 8% is a different calculation.  There is more value in 10 days of Julien or Martin than getting an extra day of Lee.  If no injuries come, they will be stuck with bringing someone else up Sept 1st.  They could end up stuck with Carmargo. 

And to be clear, this is only a question for players with options.  If it was Farmer they could do it any time but its pretty obvious they aren't going to do that right now.  It might be different if Correa was 100%.

[Doctor Gast]

Just to relieve Castro at SS would do wonders for Castro. even if Lee doesn't set the field on fire offensively. No pressure

[USAFChief]

22 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Either that or Farmer has photos of wild parties attended by Falvey and Bauer together...

 

[mikelink45]

I can only wait and see.  Lee has a great career ahead of him, but as we are seeing with Lewis potential and promise take time to unleash. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Craig Arko said:

I know I’m bat-sh*t crazy here, but I think Margot goes when Buxton returns, and Farmer for Correa. By then most of the bill has already been paid.

You assume Correa is coming back.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

But losing a player for 40% of the season vs 8% is a different calculation.  There is more value in 10 days of Julien or Martin than getting an extra day of Lee.  If no injuries come, they will be stuck with bringing someone else up Sept 1st.  They could end up stuck with Carmargo. 

And to be clear, this is only a question for players with options.  If it was Farmer they could do it any time but its pretty obvious they aren't going to do that right now.  It might be different if Correa was 100%.

Are we sure September callups are subject to the 10 day rule?

I can't seem to find an answer. 

[Jocko87]

7 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Are we sure September callups are subject to the 10 day rule?

I can't seem to find an answer. 

I can't either, but I can find the exceptions for injury and doubleheader. I think the only change is the number of players, everything else is the same.

[Craig Arko]

34 minutes ago, Patzky said:

You assume Correa is coming back.

True.

[tony&rodney]

I did not watch last Saturday's or Sunday's Saints games when Lee did well. I did see the last two games and Lee looked tired, very slow. We want to see someone step forward and give the team a boost with a bat and if it is Lee, great. It just seems like the best bets are already on the active roster.

Lee and Winder come up on September 1. When Buxton and Correa return (hoping at least), a few tough decisions get made. Varland might get a start next Tuesday in St. Petersburg. Hopefully Buxton is roaming centerfield in that game.

[Five minute major]

Promote Lee, DFA Farmer.  It is that simple.   Add Eeles or Keirsay to the 40 man and bring whichever up in September along with Varland and Winder.   

 

[Sjoski]

Lord only knows what will happen. Just hoping Lee isn't another one of these guys who just can't stay on the field.....Twins have plenty of those guys already, Bux, CC, Lewis, AK..... Lee had issues with his back in the pre-season. That's not a good sign at all.