Twins Daily 2023 Top Prospects: #1 Brooks Lee, SS

[Cody Christie]

Brooks Lee has only been in the Twins organization since the middle of July, but he has already made his mark. His breakout professional debut has him as a consensus Top 100 prospect while earning the top spot on Twins Daily's prospect rankings.

Image courtesy of Steve Buhr, Twins Daily

Age: 22 (DOB: 2/14/01)
2022 Stats (RK/A+/AA): 139 PA, .303/.389/.451, 4 HR, 6 2B, 15 RBI, 17 R
ETA: 2024
2021 Ranking: NA

National Top 100 Rankings
BA: 45 | MLB: 31 | ATH: 51 | BP: 37

 

What's To Like
Brooks Lee has grown up around baseball. His father is the head coach at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Entering the 2019 MLB Draft, Lee was committed to playing for his dad, which is the biggest reason he dropped to the 35th round. For anyone that has watched the switch-hitter, his bat-to-ball skills are his calling card. In his final collegiate season, he hit .357/.462/.664 (1.125) with 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and more walks (46) than strikeouts (28). Some college players struggle when shifting from metal to wood bats, but Lee impressed in wood-bat summer leagues prior to the draft. In one 21-game stretch on the Cape, he hit .405/.432/.667 (1.099) with six home runs. It was clear that Lee separated himself from other college hitters leading into the draft. 

Based on the performance mentioned above, Lee was in the conversation for the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, so the Twins were ecstatic that he was available with the eighth overall pick. Many scouts considered him the best college hitter in this year's draft, and that's why Minnesota was aggressive with him during his professional debut. Lee played in the Double-A playoffs just two months after being drafted while being over three years younger than the average age of the competition at that level. He had no trouble adjusting to the start of his pro career, as he posted an .839 OPS before helping Wichita to the Texas League Championship Series. 

What's Left to Work On
Since being drafted by the Twins, Lee has only played shortstop and designated hitter. Many expect him to eventually move off shortstop, with third base being his eventual landing spot. His arm is very strong, which should play well at the hot corner. Lee is already known for his tremendous work ethic, so he will put in plenty of time as he switches to a new defensive home. The Twins also have Carlos Correa signed for a minimum of six seasons. It's intriguing to think about Correa, Lee, and Royce Lewis eventually slotted in the same big-league infield. Both top prospects are excited about working with Correa in the years ahead. 

Like many prospects in their early 20s, Lee has the potential to add more muscle to his frame, especially if he's moved off of shortstop in the future. He can drive the ball from both sides of the plate, so adding more muscle can help improve his power output. Scouting reports already have his power as above-average, and his patience at the plate will help him become a complete offensive player. He's a tremendous offensive talent, but strong players can always strive to improve. 

What's Next
Lee likely starts the season at Double-A, the level he finished at in 2022 (for Wichita in the playoffs). Fans may be excited about what Lee can mean for the team's future, but there is no reason to rush him in 2023. When he is ready, he is ready. The Twins have assembled depth at multiple positions, but Lee's performance may dictate the team continuing to be aggressive with him. His big-league debut is not out of the question in the upcoming campaign. 

Royce Lewis or Brooks Lee? Over the past couple of days, we have laid out our thoughts on both future stars. Did we get it right? The vote was very close. What are your expectations for Lee in 2023? Will he debut for the Twins this season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

View full article

[Nashvilletwin]

Lee is as close to a “can’t miss” prospect as the Twins have had in several years - son of a coach, high baseball acumen, raked at every level with both power and OBP, and plenty good in the field. Baseball flows through this kid’s veins.

I can’t wait to cheer for this kid and tune in to watch every one of his ABs.

[mikelink45]

I hope he forces the Twins to be aggressive.  He really has the feeling of a "natural".  I do not know if he is better than Lewis because poor Royce has missed too many games over the last few years to make a real on field comparison.  I do hope he comes back strong and the log jam in the Twins IF will be interesting in the next couple years.

[TwinsDr2021]

28 minutes ago, Cody Christie said:

Fans may be excited about what Lee can mean for the team's future, but there is no reason to rush him in 2023.

What does this even mean? If he isn't wildly successful in AA he won't be rushed because he isn't even on the 40 man, if he is wildly successful and there is room on the major league roster he should be put on the 40 man and moved up. 

I like Lee and love that he just turned 22 at the beginning of February, which means he has some time before he just becomes another 24 year old minor league prospect. I believe by mid summer we here on TD will be begging the Twins to bring him up because he is doing so well!

[gman]

Lee or Lewis. Lewis or Lee. IDK. I'm looking forward to see them playing side by side in the Twins infield for years to come.

[Trov]

There is no need to rush him, but if he comes out the gate hitting like he did last year, he can push himself into the MLB roster.  You do not sit an elite hitter simply because there are guys on the MLB roster.  If Miranda struggles this year, or any of our other guys with options struggle, or Polanco gets hurt, we very well may see Lee sooner than later. 

Again, this is only based on him hitting like he did last year. 

[miracleb]

Yes, start him back in AA (he played less than a dozen games there?)  But then......move him up quickly as soon as he shows success. 

:) 

2023 is probably wishful thinking....but a guy can wish!!!!

[arby58]

5 minutes ago, gman said:

Lee or Lewis. Lewis or Lee. IDK. I'm looking forward to see them playing side by side in the Twins infield for years to come.

If both Lewis and Lee 'make it' while Correa is slotted at SS, Polanco at 2B, and Miranda is at 3B, there's a bit of a log jam there. My guess is if this transpires, Miranda becomes primarily a DH. If Lewis' mobility is reduced but he can still rake, he could also become an option at 1B. Of course, if they both make it, it's a good problem to have (and makes a player like Farmer expendable).

[arby58]

Just now, miracleb said:

Yes, start him back in AA (he played less than a dozen games there?)  But then......move him up quickly as soon as he shows success. 

:) 

2023 is probably wishful thinking....but a guy can wish!!!!

The good news is the Twins are pretty well set in the infield in 2023, so even if he's doing well, there isn't an urgent need to move him up (knocking on wood that injuries don't pile up ala 2022).

[tony&rodney]

Perhaps a positive side effect of being around a baseball coach since birth will be that Brooks will be uber savvy in the field, at the plate, and on the bases. One major way for the Twins to win more games is to be improved in simple baseball fundamentals. Lee has been lauded for his baseball knowledge. Knowing what to do with the ball on every play before the pitch, recognizing when advancing a runner is all that is needed (Gene Larkin), or being capable of taking a base on any occasion available - these are critical fundamentals that affects the outcome of games. We will see within two years how Brooks Lee fits into the talent demands of MLB. He sure seems like a lock to be a solid regular for a winning team.

[Dman]

I really like that the Twins were able to grab Lee with their 8th round pick.  His defense should be plus at 3rd and possibly 2nd. So I don't see defense as an Issue for Lee. He is a Switch hitter with a good eye at the plate and I was very suprised he made it all the way to AA in his shortened first year as a pro.  

His numbers are all SSS but at High A where he took most of his plate attempts he walked as much as he K'd with an .848 OPS.  He looks ready to go to me.  AA is a hitters league so I don't see him slowing down there.  Maybe AAA will trip him up some but if he stays healthy there seems to be a decent chance he gets a late season callup with the Twins this year. He should factor into 2024 pretty heavily if he maintains his current offensive production.  Twins have some good bats with possible plus defense in their top three this year.  Hoping they all turn into All Star type players.

[Blyleven2011]

We need better disciplined players that have better skills in hitting , running  and fielding  ....

If he listened to his father as a good son should and has the skills to be successful  , why don't the other players on our team listen to the coaches to be more disciplined at hitting  , running or fielding  ...

( that is if the coaches are coaching these skills of the game ) ...

[jmlease1]

Brooks Lee had about as good a start as anyone could have wished for. Love it. Hope he continues to crush it. He looks like he'll slide down to 3B nicely, with Correa ensconced at SS for the next several years at least...and right now it seems unlikely that Lee is going to sit in the minors for very long.

I think he could be ready to play in MLB this season. But I find myself caught between two poles on this one: I want him to hit and play so well that he's pushing his way up and knocking on the door with his talent and drive. At the same time, I'm hoping the Twins don't have a bunch of injuries on the MLB roster and guys like Miranda & Polanco are having the seasons they are capable of and the MLB club doesn't need him to rush up to the majors.

Maybe he gets some time in MLB in 2023, but I suspect he's starting for us in 2024. I just think he's too good and too driven not to be here sooner rather than later.

[Dave The Dastardly]

Lee being forced to play 3rd with CC at short? How about the older guy with the bad wheel moving to 3rd to make room for the younger, healthier Lee?

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Let him play. 

I have this confidence: Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Austin Martin, Eduard Julien, Jose Salas and Tanner Schoebel (don't sleep on Schoebel!) provide the Twins with unparalleled middle-infield depth.

Nobody wants to overpay in a trade, but if this club is in control of the AL Central at the trade deadline, make a deal for that ace who can win Game #1 in a playoff series. 

The best two prospects could bookend Correa at 2nd and 3rd base for the rest of this decade.

[chpettit19]

My hope is that Lee is in St Paul when Lewis returns from injury and we get to see a top of the order for the Saints that includes Julien, Martin, Lewis, and Lee in June. I hope they're all in AAA (in June) because I hope the guys currently penciled in for the Twins are all healthy and performing. Then Lewis takes RF from Kepler, and the other 3 are getting their feet wet as fill ins for 10 day IL stints here and there from the major league roster.

To me, that's best case scenario. That'd, likely, mean the Twins are doing well, and staying mostly healthy, while these guys are getting an idea of what the big leagues are like and what adjustments they'll have to make. Allows the Twins to reshape their roster in the following offseason based on what these guys are showing them. If they all look ready to claim roster spots for 2024, that team is going to have a very cheap core and maybe all our dreams come true and the Twins splurge on a big time pitcher with the money saved from Gallo, Kepler, and at least 2 of the FA pitchers leaving. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if things actually played out like this.

As for Lee himself, he sure looks like one of the higher floor prospects we've had in quite a while. It's hard to see him completely tanking. I'm not sold the power is ever much more than 15-20 HRs a year, but him hitting .280+ with a .375+ OBP and 15-20 HRs while playing a really solid, if not well above average, 3B would be incredible. And I think that's a pretty realistic dream as far as dreaming on prospects goes.

[Monkeypaws]

I hadn't realized that Lee is a switch hitter.

That's a nice bonus.

Does he hit with the same power from both sides?

[RedBull34]

11 minutes ago, Monkeypaws said:

I hadn't realized that Lee is a switch hitter.

That's a nice bonus.

Does he hit with the same power from both sides?

All his HR's in the minor's last year were from the Left side of the plate, but he had a higher slugging from the right.  It's very small sample size though (98 PA's as a LHB, 24 as a RHB).

Edited as I completely got this backwards.

[Craig Arko]

49 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

Lee being forced to play 3rd with CC at short? How about the older guy with the bad wheel moving to 3rd to make room for the younger, healthier Lee?

Could be. Seems to me the Mets were planning to play Correa at 3rd, before things fell through.

[hitterscount]

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

What does this even mean? If he isn't wildly successful in AA he won't be rushed because he isn't even on the 40 man, if he is wildly successful and there is room on the major league roster he should be put on the 40 man and moved up. 

I like Lee and love that he just turned 22 at the beginning of February, which means he has some time before he just becomes another 24 year old minor league prospect. I believe by mid summer we here on TD will be begging the Twins to bring him up because he is doing so well!

I agree.... if a player is ready and has earned playing time at the MLB level because they are excelling in the minors then they should be brought up.  I have wondered if keeping players in the minors to manipulate team control can actually hurt their confidence or put undue pressure on them once they are called up. Hell of a difference between big league accommodations and the minors and the pressure to perform to stay must be tremendous. 

If he is successful and there isn't room because the line-up is "stacked" then we have trade material somewhere for a true ace.  

[miracleb]

Lee being forced to play 3rd with CC at short? How about the older guy with the bad wheel moving to 3rd to make room for the younger, healthier Lee?

**************************************

If Correa moves to third in the next couple of years, we WAY OVER paid for him!

[roger]

Will agree with those above that Correa may be the one to move to third, perhaps as early as 2024.

Lee has had a fantastic education in the school of baseball.  Lewis is known for his exceptional 'make up.'  Won't it be wonderful for the Twins to build their future around this pair while Buxton and Correa are still on this team?  You just know both are going to be successful.  No need to discuss who is/will be more so as both can become superstars. 

Won't debate who will be playing where, that's going to be a wonderful problem with the Twins staff.  Fact is however, unless Miranda works exceptionally hard to improve his D, his days at third are numbered. and with a healthy AK owning first he may become a very young DH. 

[joefish]

26 minutes ago, miracleb said:

Lee being forced to play 3rd with CC at short? How about the older guy with the bad wheel moving to 3rd to make room for the younger, healthier Lee?

**************************************

If Correa moves to third in the next couple of years, we WAY OVER paid for him!

We can't move Correa to 3rd because he makes too much to play there? Did I infer incorrectly?

[Mike Sixel]

The main reason I'd rank him over Lewis is Lewis' injury history, and that I think Lee has a very, very, high floor. 

I have no idea if either will play SS any time for this club, but I certainly wouldn't put Lewis at 2nd, a real waste of his speed, imo. 

I think Lee is the Twins' 3B or 2B as early as next year. I think he's that good.

[Fred]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

I really like that the Twins were able to grab Lee with their 8th round pick.  His defense should be plus at 3rd and possibly 2nd. So I don't see defense as an Issue for Lee. He is a Switch hitter with a good eye at the plate and I was very suprised he made it all the way to AA in his shortened first year as a pro.  

His numbers are all SSS but at High A where he took most of his plate attempts he walked as much as he K'd with an .848 OPS.  He looks ready to go to me.  AA is a hitters league so I don't see him slowing down there.  Maybe AAA will trip him up some but if he stays healthy there seems to be a decent chance he gets a late season callup with the Twins this year. He should factor into 2024 pretty heavily if he maintains his current offensive production.  Twins have some good bats with possible plus defense in their top three this year.  Hoping they all turn into All Star type players.

Jose Salas is probably just shaking his head about now.

[DocBauer]

As I stated previously, I would have placed Lewis at #1, simply due to being an even better athlete with potentially even more positional flexibility. But who cares? 1A and 1B and it doesn't matter.

Plenty of time and options in regard to future lineup construction, but my hunch says Lee at 3B and Lewis at 2B. Just feels natural to me. AK at 1B, Miranda playing both corner spots and DH, Julien ends up covering 2 or 3 spots as well as DH, and remains in the lineup daily, much like Arraez was used. FWIW, though expensive for a utility player, I believe the Twins still have control over Farmer for 2024, and he might stick around as even greater depth.

What an INF! But what about Polanco? He's a good 2B and a hell of an offensive player, and not exactly old. Do the Twins part ways despite him being so good? Or does Lewis move to the OF where he would almost certainly be outstanding as well? I keep seeing Martin and Larnach in the corners, Celestino as a 4th OF, (replacing Taylor), and Wallner still getting a shot as well, starter or otherwise. So what the Twins decide is Polanco's future might dictate how the lineup ultimately sets up.

What I don't question is Lee as the primary 3B or 2B. I used to believe Kirilloff would be the Twins #3 hitter once established, (and healthy). But I now believe AK will slide further down the lineup and Lee will be that #3 hitter. A switch hitter with his bat to ball skill, OB%, and power just seems perfect for that role.

He begins this season at AA. He's probably up to St Paul mid year if he continues on his current path. Let him earn his promotion, like anyone else. No need to force the issue, he will be just fine. There's a very good chance he's going to be ready for 2024, whether day one or slightly later. 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

So much speed with Lewis...I have no idea why people want him at 2B.

[TopGunn#22]

Great points Doc.  I see them as 1 and 1A as well.  I put Lee #1 because he's had no injuries yet and he was such a steal falling to the 8th pick that his hit tool could very well have him up this year.  It will be later in the season, maybe August, but it could very well happen.  I thumbed "UP" on so many comments I felt like I didn't really even need to type something, but heck!  Where's the fun in NOT commenting?  Correa is a Gold Glove SS.  He stays there until he NEEDS to move.  Lewis and Lee will probably get reps to show what they can do as well on days off for Carlos or if Correa DH's.  I like our future infield!

[James]

12 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

So much speed with Lewis...I have no idea why people want him at 2B.

Most people probably don't want him in the outfield because of the knee, I guess?  Or they assume that he's lost a step and probably can't play SS anymore? Assuming that C4 is the SS for a few years and Lee has the instincts and initial quickness to handle 3rd?

 

I mean, a 2B with the range of a SS isn't a bad thing to have. I have a feeling he'll spend some time in CF again as well. I know a lot of fans cringe at that, but he might be more Buxton insurance.  

[Rosterman]

Just look. Lee is 22, entering his first real season of pro ball. Austin Martin is 23 (soon to be 24) entering his third season. Royce Lewis is also only 23 and is on the verge of being a Twins regular. 

All three bring possible solid stats to the games, they just need to find a position of play...besides shortstop.

And, right now, all three could comfortably play a full season of minor league ball with no rush to the major leagues, giving the Twins to make hardcore decisions on the future of Kepler and Polanco. Gallo is a one-year fix. Kirilloff and Larnach will need to produce or be jumped. And miranda could easily move to first base, or jsut be a designated hitter who can also play the field.

Add in names like Julien, Wallner, Helman and the Twins seem pretty well set for the near future.

All they need is a catching prospect, although hopes are that Vasquez and Jeffers can hold down the fort for at least wo seasons. Camargo, Oliver, Isola are all guys to watch as backstops.

And looking 3-5 years out, names like Mercedes, Urbina and Rodriguez in the outfield, and Miller, Schobel, Severino, Salas, Acuna all show promise in the infield. The only weakness, perhaps, is future first basemen.

You gotta like the Twins prospects, once they can figure out positions to play.