Can Brooks Lee Solidify Himself as Minnesota Twins' Long-Term Shortstop in 2026?

[stringer bell]

Brooks Lee is an interesting case study IMHO. We know the story--baseball brat, son of a coach, first round draft choice--and we've seen less than positive results, mostly explained by less than stellar tools--slow foot speed, average arm, below average swing speed--and on the surface that might tell the story. 

I think there is more there for Lee. Mentally, I think he took bad at-bats and slumps with him on the field, adversely affecting his defense. Secondly, I don't think he was 100% in shape either in '24 or '25, in part due to early season injuries both years. Also, I think he has faded badly in both Septembers he has been on the Twins team. That might be physical fatigue or mental fatigue I know Lee wasn't used to struggling on the field and he wasn't used to losing and both happened a lot in the Septembers of '24 and '25. 

The son of a coach who has played shortstop almost exclusively shows up in the attributes that @Old Twins Hat cited--sure hands, quick release, plays the angles and accurate arm--and a stronger and trimmer Brooks Lee might get to a few more balls in a season than last year's version. He'll never be fast, but adding a tick onto his sprint speed puts him closer to average than "catcher speed". I also think that knowing he will be in the lineup at shortstop at least five days a week will help him. Playing regularly at one position might get the most out of him.

I don't see a star in his profile, but I do think he could be above average, particularly if he hits as he was projected to hit when he was drafted.

[DJL44]

Brooks Lee is a third baseman playing out of position. He’s not a middle infielder. Improved middle infield defense is critical to improving the Twins run prevention.

[Woof Bronzer]

14 hours ago, Nshore said:

Lee is slow, which is not a good attribute to have if you're a shortstop.  And the Twins knew that when they drafted him in the first round.  Yet another questionable personnel decision.

Yeah but did you know his dad was a coach?

[Woof Bronzer]

8 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Brooks Lee is a third baseman playing out of position. He’s not a middle infielder. Improved middle infield defense is critical to improving the Twins run prevention.

Does he hit well enough to play 3rd though?  

[bean5302]

11 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Kind of a downer of a commentary section -- no, not, never.

Guess what?  Lee is a pretty damn good defensive player -- sure handed, quick release, an accurate and strong arm.  He gets to the ball, he makes the play.  Reliably.  Major league ready.

I didn't even watch many games, but I could see that much. 

Will he hit enough?  For a shortstop, the answer is "yes".  Put him at third, second, or even utility and the answer is "not necessarily".

Beat my brains out for seeing something positive in Lee, but remember, the shortstop's offense is typically a bonus.  He is fine as a shortstop.  He will not drag the Twins down.

If the question is:  Is Culpepper the future?  The answer is:  we don't know, but we hope Culpepper is an All-Star caliber player.

But first, let's let Lee play and find his level best.

I understand having a favorite player or an optimistic outlook, but there is plenty of data on Brooks Lee. The sample size is beginning to grow at SS, and I've watched more than a handful of games. Objectively, Lee's average throw from SS was 80.7mph last year. Adequate for a 2B, but one of the worst arms you'll see as a regular shortstop.

The average runner in baseball reaches about 27 ft/sec down the base path. The average throw from SS is about 130 feet. At 80.7mph or 121 ft/sec, the throw arrives in about 1.074 sec. An average SS 85.7mph arm (129ft/sec) would get to 1st base 0.938sec.

1.074sec - 0.938sec = Brooks Lee's throw reaches 1st base .136 seconds later than the average MLB SS. Runner traveling 27ft/sec x .136sec = 3.7 feet. That's what Brooks Lee's arm gives up relative to the average MLB shortstop. A bang-bang out play becomes an easy infield hit by almost 4 feet if Brooks Lee is throwing the ball.



Lee's performance at the plate looks an awful lot like early Trevor Larnach. Lee was an easy out vs. changeups and slider variants. Considering those two pitches are amongst the most popular in baseball, it's not a projectable profile. When Lee does make contact, his bat speed is pretty slow so he doesn't generate much power. 
 


In summary, Lee is one of the worst runners in baseball, he's got one of the weakest arms for an infielder, he doesn't generate power at the plate, and he doesn't take walks or have good plate discipline. He's generated 0.0 fWAR the past two years combined.

There is some reason to suspect an approach/swing change at the plate could generate more of the needed power as his max exit velo is 110mph (a little above average), but his ability to identify pitches is average at best.

There's not much to be optimistic about in regard to Brooks Lee. He looks like another highly touted, but  failed prospect to me.

[DJL44]

11 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Does he hit well enough to play 3rd though?  

I have more faith that Lee will improve at the plate than he will in the field. At the plate he can be more selective. You can't pick and choose which balls to field.

[Trov]

No way will Twins sign either Bichette or Story.  Bichette has mostly been All-star level SS and will demand some big bucks in FA.  We will not fork that over when we have hopeful short stops in the wings.  Story could be had for a shorter contract for less annual, but he still will be costly.  My guess he will be looking for another 3 to 5 year deal, and at his age his defense could fall off the cliff at SS, as it already has dropped.  He also has many history of injuries causing us to go for backups anyways. 

[jmlease1]

Next season is the real "make or break" for Lee. He was touted as a hitter, and his minor league profile showed a player who looked like he'd be able to hit for average with a decent amount of pop in his bat, while having the potential for plus defense at 3B and at least good at 2B, while being solid enough at SS to back up the position.

So far, he's really struggled at the plate. His contact skills deserted him in the second half of the season, and while he's shown he can turn on a pitch and drop it into the seats when someone leaves a fastball out there for him, he's not spraying the line drives we saw in the minors and racking up singles and doubles. Maybe that's a response to a heavier diet of better offspeed pitches, or maybe he hasn't really gotten back from the back injury, but whatever it is, he need to find some changes and hit better.

I'm disappointed in his defense, but he at least makes the right choices out there. But it's fairly clear to me that unless something improves significantly, he can't stick at SS as a starter. Even if his hitting improves, he looks like a utility player to me, albeit with the potential to be a really good one. He doesn't have the upside that Lewis does at 3B, or that Keaschall has at 2B.

But he's got to hit. Needs to barrel up the ball more often, swing harder, and be more disciplined at the plate. He's going to get every chance to show he can do it in 2026 (no way does Culpepper start with the Twins), but Culpepper will be in Saint Paul and if he has a strong start and shows he's ready to get a look...he should get a look.

Houston is an excellent defender at SS, but has a lot to do as a hitter. He's a long way off to me, no matter how good the defense is

[DJL44]

50 minutes ago, Trov said:

No way will Twins sign either Bichette or Story.  Bichette has mostly been All-star level SS and will demand some big bucks in FA.  We will not fork that over when we have hopeful short stops in the wings.  Story could be had for a shorter contract for less annual, but he still will be costly.  My guess he will be looking for another 3 to 5 year deal, and at his age his defense could fall off the cliff at SS, as it already has dropped.  He also has many history of injuries causing us to go for backups anyways. 

I have been struggling to find a short-term stopgap SS for this team. Their best option is probably to trade for another team's utility infielder (Mauricio Dubon?) and give him the job. They have to find someone besides Lee, even if it is just a utility backup.

Catchers and shortstops are scarce. Having a really good one gives a team an advantage that can lead them to the playoffs.

[jjswol]

Lee will be just fine at shortstop when he gets a chance to start the season there and doesn't worry about auditioning for the job. His hitting like many others will improved if the new manager shows some line-up and batting order stability.

[RpR]

4 hours ago, CRF said:

He's a utility player at best...nothing more, nothing less...but he's all we've got right now at SS. 

Fitzgerald is a much better option.

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Does he hit well enough to play 3rd though?  

He hit as well as Lewis , and has a bit better glove, at third.

[Scott51104]

"1.074sec - 0.938sec = Brooks Lee's throw reaches 1st base .136 seconds later than the average MLB SS. Runner traveling 27ft/sec x .136sec = 3.7 feet. That's what Brooks Lee's arm gives up relative to the average MLB shortstop. A bang-bang out play becomes an easy infield hit by almost 4 feet if Brooks Lee is throwing the ball."

Enjoyed the math. Reminded me of my dad.

[jmlease1]

47 minutes ago, jjswol said:

Lee will be just fine at shortstop when he gets a chance to start the season there and doesn't worry about auditioning for the job. His hitting like many others will improved if the new manager shows some line-up and batting order stability.

If you think the problem with Twins hitting is not rolling out the same batting order and lineup every day, then I really don't know what to tell you.

[SteveLV]

Likely placeholder until Culpepper or some other young SS ascends to MLB.  Then he transitions to a utility IF with good position flexibility and/or injury replacement.

He might blossom, but I doubt he will ever improve his fielding significantly.

[gman]

I think by the end of next year Keaschall could be at first base and Lee at second. Lee has shown the skills to be a decent second baseman. I don't know that Keaschall gets any better to be a full time second baseman and the Twins will need a first baseman. Hopefully Culpepper makes the transition to the majors by mid summer.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Fitzgerald is a much better option.

I don't think he's going to continue to homer that often. He hit HR twice as often in MLB as he did in AAA - that's not sustainable. Likely to put up a .650 OPS over a full season. That's fine for a 3rd SS stashed in the minors but I wouldn't want that for my starter. That said, he does seem to be more selective at the plate than Brooks Lee.

[LA Vikes Fan]

15 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Kind of a downer of a commentary section -- no, not, never.

Guess what?  Lee is a pretty damn good defensive player -- sure handed, quick release, an accurate and strong arm.  He gets to the ball, he makes the play.  Reliably.  Major league ready.

I didn't even watch many games, but I could see that much. 

Will he hit enough?  For a shortstop, the answer is "yes".  Put him at third, second, or even utility and the answer is "not necessarily".

Beat my brains out for seeing something positive in Lee, but remember, the shortstop's offense is typically a bonus.  He is fine as a shortstop.  He will not drag the Twins down.

If the question is:  Is Culpepper the future?  The answer is:  we don't know, but we hope Culpepper is an All-Star caliber player.

But first, let's let Lee play and find his level best.

I'm not sanguine about Lee's ability to be an MLB SS long term, but I think you're right. We have to give him at least part of 2026 to find out, even if only because there is no one else and the FA market is either expensive or very thin. Can he become Greg Gagne or Jason Bartlett in the field or at the plate? The fielding looks tough given his lack of speed and agility, but maybe off season training can help that. His bat isn't great but he did improve from .221/.265/.320 (.565), 64 OPS+, in 172 ABs in 2024 to .236/.285/.370, (.655),79 OPS+, in 487 ABs in 2025. Can he improve to 0+ outs above average or the equivalent stat you like in 2026? Can he improve to a .250/.310/.400, 110 OPS+, in 2026? Most likely not, but there's chance. Give him half a season at least to find out. Culpeper and Houston won't be ready until then at the earliest any way. 

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

...But he's got to hit. Needs to barrel up the ball more often, swing harder, and be more disciplined at the plate...

Brooks Lee is squaring up balls in the sweet spot of the bat at a high rate. Your note about swinging harder is critical.

If he had more bat speed, his "barrel rate" (which requires a certain exit velo) would be higher. His squared up rate (when he hits a ball with 80% of the maximum exit velo possible) is in the top 1/4 of all MLB hitters. Lee's max exit velo suggests he's got juice in the tank, but he's trying to maximize contact vs. generating more power. If you look at where Lee is currently, it sure seems like there might be some opportunity to sacrifice some higher quality weak swing contact for some lower quality harder swing contact. Harder swings = more exit velocity. His current approach is non-viable at the MLB level so making the adjustment might be his only hope.

 

[TwinsDr2021]

Houston turns 22 in April and Culpepper turns 23 in December neither should need all that much more time in the minors if they are to be the future. (Culpepper maybe a couple of months and Houston maybe a little over a year)  

Which IMO means Lee starts the year there and will need to hold off Culpepper to keep the job. They shouldn't spend any money on a SS FA. In reality they shouldn't spend much FA money on anything but catcher and relief pitchers. The only players that should be brought in from outside the organization is a young established player with multiple years of control (not somebody like Outman, somebody that is actually young) 

[RpR]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I don't think he's going to continue to homer that often. He hit HR twice as often in MLB as he did in AAA - that's not sustainable. Likely to put up a .650 OPS over a full season. That's fine for a 3rd SS stashed in the minors but I wouldn't want that for my starter. That said, he does seem to be more selective at the plate than Brooks Lee.

When Fitz was SS and Martin at 2nd, they made Lee and Keaschall look like they were going in slow motion.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I'm not sanguine about Lee's ability to be an MLB SS long term, but I think you're right. We have to give him at least part of 2026 to find out, even if only because there is no one else and the FA market is either expensive or very thin. Can he become Greg Gagne or Jason Bartlett in the field or at the plate? The fielding looks tough given his lack of speed and agility, but maybe off season training can help that. His bat isn't great but he did improve from .221/.265/.320 (.565), 64 OPS+, in 172 ABs in 2024 to .236/.285/.370, (.655),79 OPS+, in 487 ABs in 2025. Can he improve to 0+ outs above average or the equivalent stat you like in 2026? Can he improve to a .250/.310/.400, 110 OPS+, in 2026? Most likely not, but there's chance. Give him half a season at least to find out. Culpeper and Houston won't be ready until then at the earliest any way. 

I'm hoping for Jorge Polanco - negative fielding but his bat makes up for it. Greg Gagne was a plus fielder.

[DocBauer]

I have some optimism for Lee and his future, but I'm not an apologist for him by any means. 

I appreciate and even embrace most all statistics. I have a hard time with defensive statistics, however, as there are so many, and they often say completely different things depending on which one(s) you embrace. Throw all the defensive stats you want to at me, that's fine. But I'm not using them in MY evaluation of Lee in this response.

OK, let's get the bad pit if the way first:

1) He's slow and not overly athletic.

2] He has a medium arm.

3] Much like Miranda, he has contact ability that often translates in to weak contact as he's too much of a free swinger who just doesn't lay off pitches outside of his hot zones.

And now the positives that I see:

1] He's got good hands despite some frustrating flubs.

2] He transitions the ball from glove to hand well and makes accurate throws. I also see him making nice adjustments on said throws, despite not being a great athlete.

3] He's demonstarated some pop/power potential, maybe more than initially expected. He can drive the ball when decently when he makes solid contact in his proper hitting zones.

He's most comfortable at SS. No surprise there as it's been his primary position his HS. But I believe he's got the ability to be a solid glove man at 2B and 3B as well with a little more time, work, and experience.

I still ask everyone to remember he was a 23yo rookie in 2024 and had only 172 AB. Rookie level qualification is 130 AB. That's means he entered 2025 as a non rookie by only about a dozen games. So he was very nearly a rookie when the past season began. His numbers weren't anything to be proud of, but he did prove his entire quad slash line from one year to the next. So as a 24yo, we did see SOME improvement. 

Do I think he's a long term answer at SS? No. Do I think he can be solid/OK for NOW to begin 2026? Yes. There's just nothing special enough to be a long term answer there. But he's solid to fill the role for now, and will probably be somewhat better for next season.

Can the bat improve? Absolutely. He's smart enough to recognize some of his failings by chasing pitches outside his best hot/hitting zones. He's commented on this. CAN he take that recognition and lay off pitches...fight that "I can make contact with any pitch"...and be more disciplined in his approach going forward? I sure hope so. Some can, some can't. I'm willing to bet on a highly intelligent young man...with the coach's son backdrop as some insurance...with a solid work ethic will figure it out. Again, I hope so.

I have a personal belief/hope/feel what Lee MIGHT become as a ML hitter over the next couple of years, but I'm not going there.

But for argument sake, let's just say continued development, work, and experience would have him continuing growth as a hitter and in 2026 he might bat .250/ .310/ .400-ish with another 16HR but increase his DBLS production to 25-28. (I think the DBLS projection might be a little low). That would be FINE as a high quality defender at SS. But even with improvement defensively, I still don't see him TODAY as better than average at SS. I'm not betting against continued improvement, I just don't see it. Even when drafted, there were thoughts he'd move to 2B or 3B.

We're speculating on a kid who doesn't turn 25yo until February of 2026. How can we know how much better his bat might be in 2-3yrs as a 27-28yo? It's borderline silly to try and do so!

But K-Pepper has more speed, more athleticism, and a stronger arm. He simply projects as an even better defender and offensive force. But even though he's been dynamic in his professional debut, he's not a finished product. His early succes and projection is almost identical to Keaschall. And at some point, June or July 1st, we should see Culpepper up. Does he start as a utility player with someone out? Does he just take SS over? That's unfair speculation too far in the future and too many variables to comment on or project TODAY.

But, IMO, K-Pepper should become the #1 SS. I see Lee becoming a super utility player similar to Castro or Marwin Gonzalez, save the OF playability. There's no reason he can't play some 1B along with covering the rest of the INF, and bring a solid, productive bat playing almost every day. 

Is that what was hoped for when drafted? Nope. But that doesn't mean he's a failed prospect. A super utility 4 position INF player with a solid glove and above average bat is a WIN if that's all he "only" turns out to be. An average defender and bat, or somewhat above average in both regards, provides the Twins with a hell of a valuable player.

He's the #1 SS to begin 2026. Culpepper should replace him at some point. But that's more indicative of K-Pepper's potential and not a negative as to the value Lee can still bring to the Twins.

[LA Vikes Fan]

4 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Houston turns 22 in April and Culpepper turns 23 in December neither should need all that much more time in the minors if they are to be the future. (Culpepper maybe a couple of months and Houston maybe a little over a year)  

Which IMO means Lee starts the year there and will need to hold off Culpepper to keep the job. They shouldn't spend any money on a SS FA. In reality they shouldn't spend much FA money on anything but catcher and relief pitchers. The only players that should be brought in from outside the organization is a young established player with multiple years of control (not somebody like Outman, somebody that is actually young) 

I agree and, unlike Outman, somebody that is actually young and good. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

So here's a thought about Lee and the rest of the team if development at he MLB level is the real focus for 2026. Do this now so guys can prepare over the winter. Move Keaschall to 1B. Permanently. Move Lee to 2B and he can be the backup SS. I know he wasn't good at 2B before but give him and off season and ST to prepare. Either start Culpeper at SS or sign a guy like IKF or Orlando Arcia, or retain Fitzgerald, to start the season at SS. That guy becomes the utility INF when Culpeper comes up, but that is no later than May 15. Sign Castro as a FA to backup 2B and 3B, SS in a pinch, with Clemens as the backup at 1B, 2B, and RF, 3B in a pinch. Solves the search for a 1B, gives Lee run with some backup if he can't play 2B and he is the Plan B if Culpeper is overmatched. Culpeper gets necessary development time and/or replacement gives us a better fielding SS until Culpeper is ready. Promote Fedko as the 4th/5th OF/1B for his RH bat. Roden is the 4th OF/backup CF, Martin plays every day in LF, and, the part no one will like, re-sign Vasquez for less than $5m to be the second catcher. Our pitchers love him and pitch better when he or Jeffers is behind the plate. Hope Vasquez can OPS .625-.650, replace him with Cardenas or Jhonny Perada if he can't. That's your IF and C. Spend your FA money on relief help. Save some payroll space to take on a bad contract from another team during ST or at the deadline to fill a hole/potentially improve part of the team. Bryan Reyolds of the Pirates stands out - making 13m increasing to 15m a year for a .720 OPS last year, signed through 2030. Pittsburg is always looking to move payroll. Batting order/lineup without Reynolds:
 

Martin (LF), Buxton (CF), Keaschall (1B), Wallner (RF/DH), Jeffers (C), Lewis (3B), Lee (2B/SS), Roden/Fedko (RF/DH), Culpeper/Fitzgerald/FA (SS). Bench - Castro (2B, 3B, SS), Clemens ( 1B/2B/RF), Vasquez (C), UTL who can play SS (Eeles, Fitzgerald, Schobel, FA like INF or Arcia).   

Against LF starter - switch Wallner and Jeffers.

If trading for Reynolds - Reynolds plays LF, hits 5th, Roden/Fedko move to the bench, Martin plays RF, Wallner is full time DH/occasional RF. 

When Vasquez plays - he hits 8 everyone moves up one. from 5-7 to 4-6. 

When Castro plays - he hits 9 or 1 and gets one base and steals. A lot. 

Pencil in 20+ stolen bases from Martin, Buxton, Keaschall, Culpeper and Castro, 10+ from Lewis and Fitzgerald. You will need those to overcome the lack of HR power. 

[SteveLV]

Trade for Colt Emerson in the Mariners minors or Aidan Miller in the Phillies system.  Let Lee transition to utility role.  Would cost Ryan probably, but you are then set at SS for a decade, barring injury.

[mnfireman]

Didn't read all the comments, yet (long day of travelling), but my thought is he only needs to hold SS down until the All-Star Break at the latest. Culpepper is close, and the Twins promoted Keaschall after roughly 55 PA's at St. Paul.

[LeatherAntenna]

On 10/6/2025 at 6:15 PM, Linus said:

He doesn’t have the arm or the range to be a big league plus SS. In fact he needs to hit substantially better next year to stick in the bigs over the long run. 

Question, can he train into a better arm?  Weight lifting or whatever?  Seems logical to me , especially if we can train pitchers to be faster, why not infielders?

[David HK]

No.

He needs to move to 3rd and Royce to 1st.

And both of those dudes need to get their bats going.

Fitz can placehold SS, and they need to rush Culpepper up after some St Paul seasoning. 

[TwinsDr2021]

12 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

 

Martin (LF), Buxton (CF), Keaschall (1B), Wallner (RF/DH), Jeffers (C), Lewis (3B), Lee (2B/SS), Roden/Fedko (RF/DH), Culpeper/Fitzgerald/FA (SS). Bench - Castro (2B, 3B, SS), Clemens ( 1B/2B/RF), Vasquez (C), UTL who can play SS (Eeles, Fitzgerald, Schobel, FA like INF or Arcia).   

Against LF starter - switch Wallner and Jeffers.

If trading for Reynolds - Reynolds plays LF, hits 5th, Roden/Fedko move to the bench, Martin plays RF, Wallner is full time DH/occasional RF. 

When Vasquez plays - he hits 8 everyone moves up one. from 5-7 to 4-6. 

When Castro plays - he hits 9 or 1 and gets one base and steals. A lot. 

Pencil in 20+ stolen bases from Martin, Buxton, Keaschall, Culpeper and Castro, 10+ from Lewis and Fitzgerald. You will need those to overcome the lack of HR power. 

So basically run the same team out there as last year and hope for different results? 

That is a bad team, of the 13 offensive players, there is 4 guys that hit under .202 and another that hit .216, and Lee and Castro at .236 and .226, and that doesn't include non prospects like Fedko, Eeles, Schobel who likely would be just as bad (No love for McCusker?)

The Twins need better than replacement level players and that has to come from actual prospects being given a chance (Jenkins, Culpepper, Erod, GG, DeBarge, and others?) not retreads and non prospects.  You don't sign players like Castro or Clemens when you are in the Twins position, because they take at bats away from guys that need them, you sign guys like that when you are close and need to fill holes with Vets. If you want to bring in Castro, find the next one, a guy that was brought up super young showed promise but didn't live up to expectations, not the one that costs money and isn't all that good anyway. (Negative WAR last year and an OPS+ of 89, um no thanks)