Brooks Lee's Career is Off to a Rough Start. Can He Be Fixed?

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Everything was coming up Twins during the 2022 MLB Draft. Several players were picked unexpectedly high in the top seven, leaving the Twins with one of the better position players by consensus, in Brooks Lee. While he lacked superstar upside and loud tools, he was as much of a sure thing as any draft pick can be to be an impactful player. Unfortunately, three years later, this assessment has yet to play out.

Lee was billed as a switch-hitter whose contact-oriented approach and plate discipline would more than make up for his lack of standout power. Defensively, he held his own at shortstop, but had the potential to be an elite defender anywhere else in the infield. While we’ve seen flashes of the latter, Lee’s offense has not come around as hoped thus far.

In just under 500 plate appearances, Lee is slashing .240/.279/.351. He’s been 26% worse than a league-average hitter (according to wRC+) in that time. Defensively, after a decent debut last season, he’s been a poor fielder at every position by Defensive Runs Saved this season, and Outs Above Average paints a similar picture. As a result, he's been a replacement-level overall player.

In short, Lee has not lived up to expectations so far. While it's still early in his career, there’s reason to be concerned, even if it may not be time to panic. Lee’s struggles defensively are probably the most surprising development. With a lower-ceiling offensive profile, the hope was that good defense would still make him a very valuable regular, even if the bat left something to be desired. Lee has been flexible defensively, but the metrics don’t show a player who can be carried by his glove. Young players often struggle with the bat early on, but defensively, Lee’s struggles have been almost equally pronounced.

Offensively, 500 plate appearances are hard to draw too much of a conclusion from. The concerning part about what we’ve seen from Lee is his complete abandonment of the plate approach with which he previously succeeded for his entire baseball career. His discerning eye at the plate has been nowhere to be found; he's walked less than 5% of the time in his career. While he’s struck out less than 20% of the time, this can be attributed to his lack of plate discipline and ability to make contact. Lee is often flailing away at pitches outside of the zone and bouncing them in play for outs.

Brooks Lee has looked completely overmatched at the plate for almost his entire time at the big-league level. Even his white-hot June looks like a mirage more than an actual development, fueled by an unsustainable .431 batting average on balls in play. He’s followed that month up with one of the worst of his career so far, showing that he hadn’t made any strides in his plate approach. For a floundering Twins team lacking offense, Brooks Lee has undoubtedly been part of the issue.

The question, at this point, is where the Twins go from here. The Twins are set to sell at the trade deadline, making the rest of the season a wash. On one hand, Lee can continue to get everyday playing time and potentially figure things out. On the other hand, Lee has made very few strides offensively at the highest level so far, and it’s worth asking whether his broken plate approach can be fixed more easily against lesser competition.

Depending on where Luke Keaschall is in his elbow rehab, he’s set to return in the coming weeks and will be deserving of a spot on the roster. While there are other candidates to be demoted, such as DaShawn Keirsey Jr., swapping these two out wouldn’t open up much playing time. The Twins may see an opportunity to give Lee a reset and try to bring him back in 2026 with a more competitive offensive approach.

Lee was expected to be a near lock for everyday playing time by now, and a demotion would be another disappointing chapter in his career. Unfortunately, it appears to be a real possibility. While there is still plenty of time to turn things around, Lee doesn’t have an endless amount of time to cement himself as a core starting player on the Twins roster.

Between the sale of the team and another failure of a season, the regime that drafted him could be on their way out. Another group may not look at him in the same light as the one that took him at such a high place in the first round. In addition to Keaschall, Kaelen Culpepper continues to surge up the organizational infield ranks. The team also drafted Marek Houston in the first round this year. Houston's defensive reputation surpasses Lee’s, and he'll likely be a valuable regular if he’s able to hit at all.

Maybe Lee could flip a switch and fix whatever is broken, making all of these logistics a non-factor, but it’s time for him to start showing some progress. Whether it comes in the Warehouse District in Minneapolis or Lowertown in St. Paul, the Twins need to determine the best way to help him turn things around. This version of Brooks Lee isn’t the one drafted eighth overall, and the further we get from that draft, the more worrisome it becomes.

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[MMMordabito]

[Mike Sixel]

Anyone giving up on a top 100 prospect after a year of ML playing is lacking in patience, and it is good they aren't a GM. 

To be clear, I'm not saying he's good or bad (he's not good), I'm stating that the lack of patience on this site is staggering. 

[CRF]

He hasn't shown a helluva lot so far, but I think he needs more time to see what happens. Maybe he makes it, maybe he doesn't. 

[OvertheHill]

I’m fine riding the rest of the season out with Lee somewhere in the lineup. I think trying to draw conclusions after 500 MLB plate appearances is being a little quick on the trigger. One thing I do like about his plate appearances is that he rarely seems to get fooled or be overmatched. He’s one of the few guys in the lineup who can spoil pitcher’s pitches. It’s almost like he’s got a clue up there although the regular hard contact isn’t there yet. 

[umterp23]

500 plate appearances and he needs fixed. I can think of worse twins who need fixing than Lee. 

[Mike Sixel]

I think he's partially struggling with playing more at 2B than the left side of the infield at this point. But that could be wrong.....

[Doctor Gast]

Fans tend to expect more from their 1st round picks but I'm not giving up on Lee yet, because we lack decent gloves in the INF. You have to be patient with young players. I can't say if Lee has a better chance adapting in AAA but if Keirsey isn't getting regular ABs in MLB then send him down. Nobody can hit MLB pitchers if they don't get regular MLB ABs. Also bring up Martin & give him time at 2B.

[harmlessharmon]

I like Lee, but the Twins need to base their future on rugged players.  His back problems are a deal breaker IMO.   The Twins have been nothing but constant injuries for years.  It's really getting old.  I'll say something positive; Buxton finally looks more durable.

[FlyingFinn]

Lee seems to swing at too many pitches out of the strike zone. Then he gets on the wrong side of the count. If he can fix that, I think he will do just fine.

[shimrod]

Can He Be Fixed?

Can he be fixed by the organization that broke him? That's the question.

[stringer bell]

Gee, a month ago Brooks was a key part of the future on a long hitting streak. Some people were ready to install him at third base full-time especially since Lewis was around the Mendoza Line.  Lee's numbers are bad this month, but I expect he'll come out of it and be a good player in the future.

All of that said, I'm not enamored with his skill set. I'd like to see a middle infielder with speed and range who isn't stretched at shortstop, especially with the apparent decline of Carlos Correa. It would appear that that Lee's role in 2026 would be to back up all three of the projected starters on the dirt (except first base) and while he is still pretty young, it seems his projected ceiling is being lowered every year. 

[TheLeviathan]

I wouldn't give up on the kid.

I would give up on the process that seems to keep yielding these same disappointing struggles however.....whatever process that is behind the scenes.

[arby58]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Anyone giving up on a top 100 prospect after a year of ML playing is lacking in patience, and it is good they aren't a GM. 

To be clear, I'm not saying he's good or bad (he's not good), I'm stating that the lack of patience on this site is staggering. 

His OPS throughout his minor league career has been pretty solid, and he's still only 24. I agree that sometimes patience is necessary - and generally not to be found on fan comment boards.

[mikelink45]

I have to join the commenters and advise that we slow down the criticism.  I think it was Kelly who said we had to see a thousand at bats to really judge a player. 

[twinstalker]

My analysis on him was he'd be a second division starter (bottom 15).  That was based partially on his hitting stats and age at two hitters' parks in Wichita and St. Paul.  He also had a good K rate.  Currently he's still learning MLB and will be an okay player when he does.  My guess is that, barring injury, he can be a .275/.340/.410 player in some seasons.

While he's not going to get you excited, he'll be steady and put the ball in play.  He's the last thing the Twns need to worry about going forward.  He'll just play where needed and do it decently.

Kaelen Culpepper offers a similar, if more exciting due to health and athleticism, profile.  If KC carries his slash line through the rest of his AA season, it might portend a better hitter, but Lee had 300 more PAs at AA to even out his numbers.  Both are/were at Wichita at the same age.

[Sjoski]

Brooks Lee reminds me a lot of a young Torii Hunter.  It took Torii nearly 800 plate appearances before he finally broke out in 2001 at age 25. Before that, he hit just .251 with little power and shaky plate discipline. Sound familiar?

I'm high on Brooks Lee, he's a keeper.

[Twinkie]

While many talk about Royce Lewis and Buxton being made of glass I worry more about the delicate back issues that Lee has. That injury could reoccur many times over during his career which may further limit his effectiveness. 

[JADBP]

Maybe just maybe if he got consistent reps and training at one position he might develop into a fine IFer.

He looks good at SS.  Very good.  Unfortunately that’s about all he played in the minors but then he makes the Biggs and they say “Sorry you can’t play at short (except when CC has foot probs).  So grab a glove and find a position.  Why didn’t they train him as a 2Bman instead of SS if they knew he was blocked!  
 

I’d  put this one on Twins MISmanagement!! 

[JADBP]

Same thing with Royce. Then he struggles at 2B, 1B and 3B and the team can’t figure out what’s wrong with his defense!  How many reps did he actually get at 3B in A, AA and AAA?  

[NYCTK]

I'm less concerned about his bat than the apparent reality that the Twins have another fairly lousy athlete on their hands. 

The Brewers are one of the best teams in baseball with a bounty of infielders that resemble Lee offensively. The thing is, they are also extremely good athletes that play great defense and run the bases well. 

Lee looks like another bust for that reason. 

[dxpavelka]

You've already inadvertently nailed part of the solution.  He needs to continue to pile up big league plate appearances.  Less than 500 career plate appearances.  Trying to evaluate a guy with anything less than a thousand is foolhardy.  Move Lewis to 1B, put Lee at 3B and Keaschall at 2B and laminate the card.  If Correa needs a day off move Lee over.  Let Li'l Roger be the utility guy.  Worry about what to do with Culpepper and or Houston when / if they get here.  AND you're overlooking one important thing.  With the possible exception of Correa, he's the only guy who wears a TC on his hat and plays in the dirt who is consistently able to catch a baseball and throw it to first base.  

[Whitey333]

Isn't this a typical theme with the Twins?  Prospects not living up to their hype at the major league level?  But it is too early to give up on Lee.  I would guess a lot of young players wouldn't want to play here with the way they are played and not developed.

[nicksaviking]

At the end of June he had a .725 OPS and .311 OBP. Not great, but also not article worthy. Then looking at game logs, he hits a 1-12 skid at the plate and gets benched for two games and since then it's been a pattern of two games on, one game off. 

The only hitter who has reached his potential on this team is a 31-year-old who took 10 years in the league to do so. I just don't think this team has a manager that can or will do the things needed to develop young hitters. And if you're going to be a low payroll team, you have to have one of those.

[JD-TWINS]

13 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Fans tend to expect more from their 1st round picks but I'm not giving up on Lee yet, because we lack decent gloves in the INF. You have to be patient with young players. I can't say if Lee has a better chance adapting in AAA but if Keirsey isn't getting regular ABs in MLB then send him down. Nobody can hit MLB pitchers if they don't get regular MLB ABs. Also bring up Martin & give him time at 2B.

Not beating up on you here, just drawing a comparison, Kiersey somehow has a -1.2 WAR in 70 AB’s & for a guy whose role is pinch running and defense, that seems hard to achieve. I get you said to send him down also if he’s not getting AB’s. To me, Lee’s flexibility on defense (3 positions) makes him valuable & maybe his switch hitting “bunt tool” comes into play a few times over last couple months. It’s certainly Lee with big club if they are trying to compete…..(even with -.6 WAR)

I’m 60 plus and not in great shape but Brooks Lee, to me, needs to be doing agility drills 3 times a day in between his two a day weight lifting sessions this off season. He just looks like a talented bat to ball guy who has natural abilities (all good) but his physique/strength & mediocre aggressiveness with Bat Speed is woeful! He seems slow & soft and that’s not a great view into the future.

Lee has a .251 BA with only a .288 OBP - no team can live with this OBP from a “regular”for any extended period.

How’s a free agent catcher signing sound for ‘26……….Lewis - CC - Keaschall - Jeffers(1B) & 25%-30% at Catcher - crazy?

Lee - Sands - Youth arm, for a Catcher in trade? 

 Not impressed with Lee for sure BUT in 287 AB’s he’s got 8 HR and he can move around on defense. That potential for 17-20 HR’s in a more full role & his bat to ball skills can’t be ignored. As you’ve said, most of the time, players need time to develop…….hope he shifts gears sometime in the next 12 months!

[JD-TWINS]

33 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

At the end of June he had a .725 OPS and .311 OBP. Not great, but also not article worthy. Then looking at game logs, he hits a 1-12 skid at the plate and gets benched for two games and since then it's been a pattern of two games on, one game off. 

The only hitter who has reached his potential, is a 31-year-old who took 10 years in the league to do so. I just don't think this team has a manager that can or will do the things needed to develop young hitters. And if you're going to be a low payroll team, you have to have one of those.

You gotta play Bader & Castro if Team is trying to win games…….. Bader in OF pushes Castro into the infield. Can’t make developing players a priority when still in a Playoff race.

That scenario may change soon!!

Others at TD have called for numerous guys “to get a chance” and having the Manager “stand behind them through tough times while they develop”. The Manager’s primary job is to manage the players to Win games. They are professionals. 

Kiersey - Camargo - Matthews - Lee(nearly 300 AB’s) - Emma - Alcala - McCusker - Funderburk - Martin …………play your way in to the roster & perform when called on …….. Luke Keaschall was the poster boy for this in a very short stint…….he earned AB’s and will get them the remainder of the season.

Varland was sent down numerous times and ultimately, he’s figured it out. “It” being a means to contribute.

Not preaching here with above comments, everything has two sides or some rationalization potential. I see other Teams sending guys up and down to AAA routinely - teams in races and teams that are not competitive - it’s part of the deal, looking for guys with talent and mental fortitude to handle the Majors.

[nicksaviking]

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

You gotta play Bader & Castro if Team is trying to win games…….. Bader in OF pushes Castro into the infield. Can’t make developing players a priority when still in a Playoff race.

That scenario may change soon!!

Others at TD have called for numerous guys “to get a chance” and having the Manager “stand behind them through tough times while they develop”. The Manager’s primary job is to manage the players to Win games. They are professionals. 

Kiersey - Camargo - Matthews - Lee(nearly 300 AB’s) - Emma - Alcala - McCusker - Funderburk - Martin …………play your way in to the roster & perform when called on …….. Luke Keaschall was the poster boy for this in a very short stint…….he earned AB’s and will get them the remainder of the season.

Varland was sent down numerous times and ultimately, he’s figured it out. “It” being a means to contribute.

Not preaching here with above comments, everything has two sides or some rationalization potential. I see other Teams sending guys up and down to AAA routinely - teams in races and teams that are not competitive - it’s part of the deal, looking for guys with talent and mental fortitude to handle the Majors.

It didn't work that way under Gardenhire and Molitor, so why are we OK with it now? If this franchise was consistently winning and competitive it would make sense, but regardless of where this team is in the playoff standings, this is a trainwreck. It's not working. 

Detroit had ONE good hitter last year. They took their lumps and most of those guys improved. That's how the Twins used to do business too. Now the Twins would rather tread in mediocrity instead of develop a top end team. Maybe we can save our jobs if we can just finish .500!

[Riverbrian]

I find it interesting that the Twins will hand select one or two prospects and are willing to ride the ups and downs with them... but others not so much. 

All offensive development eggs are in a basket labeled Brooks Lee. Very few others are allowed a basket.

If Brooks Lee fails... That's it... you put everything you had into Brooks Lee.

I guess Luke Keaschall will have to save the day so you can claim you produced one player over the past few years. 

WIth that said... he struggling right now. Players struggle from time to time. I'm not worried about it. 

Keep playing him... it doesn't have to be every day playing time... but keep playing him... develop him... my god please... develop something. 

 

 

 

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, twinstalker said:

My analysis on him was he'd be a second division starter (bottom 15).  

Kyle Farmer

[DJL44]

41 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Brooks Lee, to me, needs to be doing agility drills

I would be shocked if the Twins neglect to have their infielders run agility drills.