Will Tristan Gray Take (Part of) Brooks Lee's Job?

[Major League Ready]

20 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

You're right, but I guess I don't want to wait a couple of months unless Lee shows some life at the plate at least. Right now, he's pretty much an automatic out and he provides negative defensive value at a key position. This team just doesn't have enough offense to survive without good defense.  I almost want to play Kreidler for a month if we want to give Culpeper time so at least we get above average defense form the SS spot. With that bat, though..... almost. 

I have no expectations of this team getting to the playoffs so I am thinking in terms of developing players and a roster that can compete as soon as next year.  I am not worried about scaping up another win or two if that pursuit costs us in terms of development.  Therefore, I have no problem giving Lee his chance until it's evident we have a better solution.    

[Road trip]

 The fact that Lee was a touted prospect and a 1st round pick still matters, at least at this point.  Out of the 2022 first round picks, only Jackson Holliday, Cade Horton, and Zach Neto look like sure-fire major leaguers, and frankly only Neto has had significant success in the majors thus far.  

It's still early in Lee's career.  Results haven't been as encouraging as hoped.  Maybe 2022 was just a weak draft, but I wouldn't give up on Lee's bat until he gets to 1000 plate appearances.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Sadly, at this point I would probably put as much stock in Gray playing/hitting as a decent shortstop as I would in Lee doing likewise.  Lee has been riding the scholarship wagon for his entire time in the majors, and the evidence would seem to indicate that he just never developed.  He was touted as having this tremendous floor so therefore he couldn’t miss.  Oops.  

[Hrbowski]

Gray has only played one game this year, I think it's time to stop overreacting to small sample sizes.

[Mike Sixel]

45 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

You're right, but I guess I don't want to wait a couple of months unless Lee shows some life at the plate at least. Right now, he's pretty much an automatic out and he provides negative defensive value at a key position. This team just doesn't have enough offense to survive without good defense.  I almost want to play Kreidler for a month if we want to give Culpeper time so at least we get above average defense form the SS spot. With that bat, though..... almost. 

They aren't winning this year. Find out if young guys can play. 

[NYCTK]

38 minutes ago, Road trip said:

but I wouldn't give up on Lee's bat until he gets to 1000 plate appearances.

I do get the sentiment, but he's at 720! It's not like he only has a few months of play at this point. How good can he be to eliminate any concerns in the first 3/4 of those 1000 trips to the plate? 

Meanwhile Austin Martin (who I still don't like but do want to be proven wrong about) has 445 and Alan Roden is sitting in AAA with only 153. 

I'm not advocating giving up on him, but I really don't see his poor defense and poor bat contributing in a truly significant way on the next good Twins team. 

[RpR]

In the field, Gray has played 9 games at SS, not great, not even close to as bad as Lee's 90 games where he is not improving.

By June we may have a better idea.

[Rosterman]

Sad to say both are placetters. Only reason NOT to play Lee as a regular is to keep his arbitration salary low. Sadly Lee will be the bench guy once CUlpepper and nayone else materializes, and then maybe only for a season until he becomes (a) two expensive or (b) replacable. If Lee can show some production at the plate, he also becomes viable trade bait, due to his age. But not counting on him becoming gold in a mine full of lead.

Gray, Arcia, Kriedler are all guys to replace each other as time goes on. Which speaks ill of the Twins. Especially when they feel they have to find at bats for Clemens with Caratini and Larnach also needed reps at DH. Almsot wish the Twins ahd done total rebuild with Sabato amongst others (Mendez) getting playing time at first base. I wish they hadn't traded Eeles for Jackson. Maybe he would've been a spark plug bench bat and base runner. 

Still trying to figrue out the logjam in the outfield. I hate to see players destroy their career playing in AAA ball (Gonzalez, Roden, a host of 4th outfielder candidates between AA and AAA). In the end, the Twins will win or lose depending on the strength of their rotation and bullpen, which means the offense needs to score runs, move runners, not strikeout - let along catch and throw the ball.

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

They aren't winning this year. Find out if young guys can play. 

Right. If they later replace him with Culpepper that’s one thing, but what’s the point in replacing him with someone who won’t/shouldn’t be on the team next year?

[Jeff K]

It's early...we all know it.  Culpepper is off to a very nice start at St. Paul, just as he performed at A & AA.  Two weeks from now, if nothing has changed, I would just as soon let him continue his journey with the Twins and send Lee to St. Paul.  Let Lee figure things out at AAA.  Is that rushing Culpepper?  Maybe.  If he doesn't do well, then you send him back to St. Paul.  I would rather roll the dice on the guy with the higher ceiling and that is Kaelen Culpepper who is seemingly more major league ready than Lee.

[Fatbat]

On 3/31/2026 at 7:46 PM, Coach said:

Parent's/Coach's kid in youth baseball, always plays short, or pitcher. Forgive the stereotype, but it's true.  Brooks had no choice.  He is Daddies boy.  

Jacob Wilson. “Allstar SS” same boat. 

[Riverbrian]

On 3/31/2026 at 1:36 PM, rstuedem945 said:

Many were confused by the decision, given that Gray is another left-handed bat in a team full of them

The author claims people are confused. If anyone is confused about the decision to roster him on the 26 man roster due to his left-handedness. 

WE HAVE 5 LEFT HANDED BATS ON THE 26 MAN ROSTER. Going from 4 to 5 shouldn't be confusing. 

The roster composition is actually 5 LH hitters, 5 RH hitters and 3 Switch Hitters.

72% of pitching is right handed. 28% of pitching is left handed. 

We currently attack the 28% left handed pitchers... let me repeat that... 28%... not the much larger 72% with the same lineup that consists of 5 Right handed hitters and 3 switch hitters leaving Matt Wallner as the only left handed hitter allowed in the lineup when the lower number 28% starts on the mound. That is 8 out of 9 standing in the right handed batters box to protect this team against the dreaded 28% left hander. 

On the other hand against the two Right Handed starting pitchers we have faced thus far. The Twins put 4 right handed hitters in the starting lineup against Bradish. 55% of the starting 9 stood in the left handed hitters box (3 left handers and 2 switch hitters). 

Against Baz... Caratini entered the lineup and Gray entered the lineup. Jeffers and Lee took a rest and the Twins were able to stuff the left handed batters box 66% of the time with 4 left handers and two switch hitters. 

Now go back to the 88% stuffing of the batters box we are doing the left handed starting pitcher. 

Then go back and consider 72% compared to 28%. 

We are once again... over focused on the wrong side... the smaller percentage side. 

WIth that said... I don't care... the Twins shouldn't be trying to math anything together... they should be looking for as much talent as they can find regardless of what batters box they stand in. And in the name of the need to find talent... Gray should be allowed to legitmately compete with Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis and Luke Keashcall and Josh Bell and Victor Caratini. 

In the case of Brooks Lee... Brooks Lee while I have huge hope for his future... He has not earned the right to play 162 games. Gray has a roster spot... he should be allowed to out play Lee if he is able. 

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

The author claims people are confused. If anyone is confused about the decision to roster him on the 26 man roster due to his left-handedness. 

WE HAVE 5 LEFT HANDED BATS ON THE 26 MAN ROSTER. Going from 4 to 5 shouldn't be confusing. 

The roster composition is actually 5 LH hitters, 5 RH hitters and 3 Switch Hitters.

72% of pitching is right handed. 28% of pitching is left handed. 

We currently attack the 28% left handed pitchers... let me repeat that... 28%... not the much larger 72% with the same lineup that consists of 5 Right handed hitters and 3 switch hitters leaving Matt Wallner as the only left handed hitter allowed in the lineup when the lower number 28% starts on the mound. That is 8 out of 9 standing in the right handed batters box to protect this team against the dreaded 28% left hander. 

On the other hand against the two Right Handed starting pitchers we have faced thus far. The Twins put 4 right handed hitters in the starting lineup against Bradish. 55% of the starting 9 stood in the left handed hitters box (3 left handers and 2 switch hitters). 

Against Baz... Caratini entered the lineup and Gray entered the lineup. Jeffers and Lee took a rest and the Twins were able to stuff the left handed batters box 66% of the time with 4 left handers and two switch hitters. 

Now go back to the 88% stuffing of the batters box we are doing the left handed starting pitcher. 

Then go back and consider 72% compared to 28%. 

We are once again... over focused on the wrong side... the smaller percentage side. 

WIth that said... I don't care... the Twins shouldn't be trying to math anything together... they should be looking for as much talent as they can find regardless of what batters box they stand in. And in the name of the need to find talent... Gray should be allowed to legitmately compete with Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis and Luke Keashcall and Josh Bell and Victor Caratini. 

In the case of Brooks Lee... Brooks Lee while I have huge hope for his future... He has not earned the right to play 162 games. Gray has a roster spot... he should be allowed to out play Lee if he is able. 

I'm with you right up until you want Tristan Gray getting as much playing time as any other infielder.

Tristan Gray isn't ever going to be a quality MLB hitter. We already know this. Hes 30 years old, has been playing professionally since 2014, and has over 3200 minor league PAs of proof.  He's not even a particularly good defensive SS.

Giving Tristan Gray playing time is how you stay as bad as the Twins are.

I have little faith Brooks Lee is going to be a good MLB player. But we don't necessarily know that yet. 

We know with certainty Tristan Gray will not be an above average MLB player. Giving him more playing time than absolutely necessary only delays finding one.

Edited April 2 by USAFChief

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

I'm with you right up until you want Tristan Gray getting as much playing time as any other infielder.

Tristan Gray isn't ever going to be a quality MLB hitter. We already know this. Hes 30 years old, has been playing professionally since 2014, and has over 3200 minor league PAs of proof.  He's not even a particularly good defensive SS.

Giving Tristan Gray playing time is how you stay as bad as the Twins are.

I have little faith Brooks Lee is going to be a good MLB player. But we don't necessarily know that yet. 

We know with certainty Tristan Gray will not be an above average MLB player. Giving him more playing time than absolutely necessary only delays finding one.

I do agree with you on Gray in regard to the odds that he amounts to anything.

However, I still feel it is important to point out that Gray while 30 years old has been granted a total of 128 AB's since 2023. 5 AB's in 2023 with Tampa, 28 AB's with Oakland and Miami in 2024, 78 AB's in 2025 with Tampa. HIs 78 AB's with Tampa last year produced a .693 OPS. 

Last year where the bulk of his major league experience occurred. He produced a .565 OPS over his first 31 AB's and finished with a .776 OPS over his last 47 AB's. Small Sample to the negative and small sample to the positive but with a consistent major league job it could also look like small sample improvement. 

I'm not trying to sell anyone on Tristan. Again... I am agreeing with you about his odds. However... with scattered small sample MLB employment I am not willing to declare Tristan Gray anything because it wouldn't be fair to him. 

Overall... In a nutshell... I just disagree with you on the grounds of my personal philosophy of not wasting 26 man roster space.

This team shouldn't be trying to math anything together. It doesn't need pinch runners or short side specialists. We don't need Keirsay type late in the game defensive dudes. We need talent (Not just potential superstars... finding average MLB talent is also OK and useful ) and we need to find it now and going forward. 

This team needs to locate talent as quickly as possible and the way to do that as fast as possible is to utilize the full 26 man roster.

If the club is going to place someone on the 26 man roster. He better be able to compete and show what he is or isn't so we can say we might have found someone or let's get the next guy up here to compete.  

If the club doesn't believe in him or feels that his presence in the lineup card handicaps the team... he is a waste of valuable roster space needed. I believe Brooks should also get opportunity to compete but all eggs should not be in the the Brooks Lee basket. 

If Gray needs to be hidden... just get him off the 26 man now. 

I see Gray is in the lineup today against a left hander so it does appear that he is going to get some opportunity going forward. 

And Yes... I will say the same thing about Outman. If he's on the roster... if you believe in him enough to trade Brock Stewart for him knowing he is out of options. If he is occupying 26 man space. We don't need specialists... we need talent... so if you believe in him. Let him compete with Larnach... Let him compete with Wallner. Let him compete with Martin. If he's just going to be specialist waiting for an OF to get hurt. Just cut him and call up Rodan or Erod or Ggon. 

I'm not screwing around here. I ask for patience on young players but at the same time... I'd like to avoid the audition of just one guy and giving every single inning to a guy who produces a sub .700 OPS for 3 years just to start over again. 

Don't waste roster space. Get serious about finding talent. 

[NYCTK]

7 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I do agree with you on Gray in regard to the odds that he amounts to anything.

However, I still feel it is important to point out that Gray while 30 years old has been granted a total of 128 AB's since 2023. 5 AB's in 2023 with Tampa, 28 AB's with Oakland and Miami in 2024, 78 AB's in 2025 with Tampa. HIs 78 AB's with Tampa last year produced a .693 OPS. 

Last year where the bulk of his major league experience occurred. He produced a .565 OPS over his first 31 AB's and finished with a .776 OPS over his last 47 AB's. 

I'm not trying to sell anyone on Tristan. Again... I am agreeing with you about his odds. However... with scattered small sample MLB employment I am not willing to declare Tristan Gray anything because it wouldn't be fair to him. 

Overall... In a nutshell... I just disagree with you on the grounds of my personal philosophy of not wasting 26 man roster space.

This team shouldn't be trying to math anything together. It doesn't need pinch runners or short side specialists. We don't need Keirsay type late in the game defensive dudes. We need talent (Not just potential superstars... finding average MLB talent is also OK and useful ) and we need to find it now and going forward. 

This team needs to locate talent as quickly as possible and the way to do that as fast as possible is to utilize the full 26 man roster.

If the club is going to place someone on the 26 man roster. He better be able to compete and show what he is or isn't so we can say we might have found someone or let's get the next guy up here to compete.  

If the club doesn't believe in him or feels that his presence in the lineup card handicaps the team... he is a waste of valuable roster space needed. I believe Brooks should also get opportunity to compete but all eggs should not be in the the Brooks Lee basket. They should get him off the 26 man roster. 

I see Gray is in the lineup today against a left hander so it does appear that he is going to get some opportunity going forward. 

And Yes... I will say the same thing about Outman. If he's on the roster... if you believe in him enough to trade Brock Stewart for him knowing he is out of options. If he is occupying 26 man space. We don't need specialists... we need talent... so if you believe in him. Let him compete with Larnach... Let him compete with Wallner. Let him compete with Martin. If he's just going to be specialist waiting for an OF to get hurt. Just cut him and call up Rodan or Erod or Ggon. 

I'm not screwing around here. I ask for patience on young players but at the same time... I'd like to avoid the audition of just one guy and giving every single inning to a guy who produces a sub .700 OPS for 3 years just to start over again. 

Don't waste roster space. Get serious about finding talent. 

I don't agree with your philosophy. Just because someone's on the roster doesn't mean they need to be getting regular playing time. 

Outman is the perfect example and is currently in a perfect role. He's perfectly fine to roster, just as a 5th OF, Buxton insurance, occasional pinch runner, etc. Cutting him in favor of someone like Roden doesn't help Roden. It would just mean Roden is getting inconsistent playing time in the majors instead of continuing to show he's too good for AAA. 

In the event one of the main OF got injured, Outman could continue in that sporadic role while elevating people around him. 

[Riverbrian]

17 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

I don't agree with your philosophy. Just because someone's on the roster doesn't mean they need to be getting regular playing time. 

Outman is the perfect example and is currently in a perfect role. He's perfectly fine to roster, just as a 5th OF, Buxton insurance, occasional pinch runner, etc. Cutting him in favor of someone like Roden doesn't help Roden. It would just mean Roden is getting inconsistent playing time in the majors instead of continuing to show he's too good for AAA. 

In the event one of the main OF got injured, Outman could continue in that sporadic role while elevating people around him. 

Many don't agree with my philosophy. And you'll probably never agree with my philosophy if you have already predetermined who will be successful and who will fail. 

I'm not for anyone getting inconsistent playing time. If we call up Roden... I'd expect him to compete with Larnach and Wallner and Martin. 

I've done the math.. you can feed 11 players over 8 positions without anyone getting splinters. 

I'm insistent that every day playing time only goes to players who deserve every day playing time and they earn everyday playing time through actual performance. You only expose your disadvantage treating Larnach like he is Juan Soto with the same every day playing time. You only expose your disadvantage giving every day playing time to Josh Bell as if he is hitting the ball like Freddie Freeman.

Buxton and Keaschall are currently the only two that I put in the deserving every day playing time at this moment. That is based on performance. I'm hopeful that others rise up to join them. 

If we happen to find 7, 8 or 9 guys that deserve everyday playing time. Then go ahead and roster your specialists. Give Tyler Tolbert a roster spot to pinch run in the 9th. Give Keirsay a roster spot to replace your 40 Home Run defensively challenged guy in the 9th.  

Until we find those 7 8 or 9 guys... Let's open things up to speed the process along. 

 

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I do agree with you on Gray in regard to the odds that he amounts to anything.

However, I still feel it is important to point out that Gray while 30 years old has been granted a total of 128 AB's since 2023. 5 AB's in 2023 with Tampa, 28 AB's with Oakland and Miami in 2024, 78 AB's in 2025 with Tampa. HIs 78 AB's with Tampa last year produced a .693 OPS. 

Last year where the bulk of his major league experience occurred. He produced a .565 OPS over his first 31 AB's and finished with a .776 OPS over his last 47 AB's. Small Sample to the negative and small sample to the positive but with a consistent major league job it could also look like small sample improvement. 

I'm not trying to sell anyone on Tristan. Again... I am agreeing with you about his odds. However... with scattered small sample MLB employment I am not willing to declare Tristan Gray anything because it wouldn't be fair to him. 

Overall... In a nutshell... I just disagree with you on the grounds of my personal philosophy of not wasting 26 man roster space.

This team shouldn't be trying to math anything together. It doesn't need pinch runners or short side specialists. We don't need Keirsay type late in the game defensive dudes. We need talent (Not just potential superstars... finding average MLB talent is also OK and useful ) and we need to find it now and going forward. 

This team needs to locate talent as quickly as possible and the way to do that as fast as possible is to utilize the full 26 man roster.

If the club is going to place someone on the 26 man roster. He better be able to compete and show what he is or isn't so we can say we might have found someone or let's get the next guy up here to compete.  

If the club doesn't believe in him or feels that his presence in the lineup card handicaps the team... he is a waste of valuable roster space needed. I believe Brooks should also get opportunity to compete but all eggs should not be in the the Brooks Lee basket. 

If Gray needs to be hidden... just get him off the 26 man now. 

I see Gray is in the lineup today against a left hander so it does appear that he is going to get some opportunity going forward. 

And Yes... I will say the same thing about Outman. If he's on the roster... if you believe in him enough to trade Brock Stewart for him knowing he is out of options. If he is occupying 26 man space. We don't need specialists... we need talent... so if you believe in him. Let him compete with Larnach... Let him compete with Wallner. Let him compete with Martin. If he's just going to be specialist waiting for an OF to get hurt. Just cut him and call up Rodan or Erod or Ggon. 

I'm not screwing around here. I ask for patience on young players but at the same time... I'd like to avoid the audition of just one guy and giving every single inning to a guy who produces a sub .700 OPS for 3 years just to start over again. 

Don't waste roster space. Get serious about finding talent. 

Absolutely the Twins need to locate talent. 

Giving playing time to the Tristan Grays of the world only serves to work against that goal. 

 

[Riverbrian]

31 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Absolutely the Twins need to locate talent. 

Giving playing time to the Tristan Grays of the world only serves to work against that goal. 

 

Quite Possible

Yet here he is on the payroll. 

It makes him a bad employee

[USAFChief]

6 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Quite Possible

Yet here he is on the payroll. 

It makes him a bad employee

Why can't we all have a forklift ride at work?? 

That. 

Looks.

AWESOME!

[ashbury]

31 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Why can't we all have a forklift ride at work?? 

That. 

Looks.

AWESOME!

They gave me a ride like that on my last day.  It went around quite a bit faster, eventually the duct tape binding my wrists to it lost its grip, and I was on my way!

As for Gray, there's probably a reason 3 other franchises never gave him a lot of opportunity.  So unless we think the Twins' talent evaluators have spotted something those others missed....

[Linus]

I really look forward to the day the Twins actually have a good fielding SS.