The Natural: Brooks Lee Is Special, and the Twins Know It

[puckstopper1]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Brooks Lee reminds me a little of when Joe Mauer was coming up although he was not a college player.  He was a can't miss player that moved up pretty fast the way Brooks appears to be doing and we were all excited to see him.

What other Twins prospects fit into this category?  Rod Carew maybe?  I can't think of any of others off the top of my head, but I'm sure somebody on this forum will.

IMO Kirby Puckett would fall into that category. 

[jimbo92107]

If the Twins promote on merit, Brooks Lee could be in the lineup by mid-season. A switch hitter that recognizes pitches right out of the hand. Hits for power as well as average, Relaxed, confident, reliable fielder wherever you put him. Appears to play within himself, nothing reckless about his approach. 

This kid's floor is a top-ten MLB infielder. His ceiling is a perennial All-Star and HOF. 

That said, Lee does present a problem...for Jose Miranda. Lee already is an excellent infielder, where Miranda is working his butt off to become adequate. Whaddaya do with Miranda (and Polanco) when Lee and Lewis both hit town? 

Sadly, the answers may come down to injuries, which the Twins have not lacked in recent years. Baseball is very hard on knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and fingers. And then there's foul balls off your instep, sliding head-first into a knee, crashing into walls, and pitches fouled right into your face mask. 

Have I listed even half of the dangers? Anyway, Brooks Lee looks as much as I've ever seen like a sure bet. Fasten your seatbelt, kid.

[jkcarew]

I push back against the idea that the Twins have been “aggressive” or “moved quickly” with Lee. This is what is SUPPOSED to happen when you draft a college player projected to be a top-5 pick.

This is his age 22 year…a very typical year for “greats” to break in whether college players or not. College juniors drafted this high…especially position guys…are going to have the expectation of breaking in at age 23 at latest. It can take longer, but there should be no reason to EXPECT it to take longer. The only thing unique here is that he’s a Twin, is healthy, and has so far solidly met those expectations. 😀

 

[gunnarthor]

Loved the pick. Really hope we see him this year.

[jkcarew]

2 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Brooks Lee reminds me a little of when Joe Mauer was coming up although he was not a college player.  He was a can't miss player that moved up pretty fast the way Brooks appears to be doing and we were all excited to see him.

What other Twins prospects fit into this category?  Rod Carew maybe?  I can't think of any of others off the top of my head, but I'm sure somebody on this forum will.

Hard to compare IMO. International signings happen at 16 years of age, HS signings at 18, and College signings typically at 21 these days. So the opportunity is different. International guy like Jorge Polanco was getting called up at 20…some of the international superstars well earlier than that. Top HS guys, (extreme outliers like Bryce Harper aside), usually don’t make it any quicker than Mauer or Correa, who made their debuts shortly before turning 21.

[DJL44]

Is it too early to give him a long-term contract?

[Clare]

This article and all the commentary focus primarily on his hitting and great background to prepare him for the big leagues.  He must be able to field short or third I am guessing so I will take that as a given. Does anyone have anything to add about his arm strength to play these positions?  Thanks

[Jocko87]

The obvious comp is Alex Bregman?  Very similar profiles and skillsets and hopefully trajectories.  Bregman had 49 MLB games in his second pro season, at all sorts of positions because Correa was at SS.  Huh.  I wonder how Correa would compare them?

[big dog]

3 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Brooks Lee reminds me a little of when Joe Mauer was coming up although he was not a college player.  He was a can't miss player that moved up pretty fast the way Brooks appears to be doing and we were all excited to see him.

What other Twins prospects fit into this category?  Rod Carew maybe?  I can't think of any of others off the top of my head, but I'm sure somebody on this forum will.

Blyleven

 

[bird]

5 hours ago, Monkeypaws said:

I remember one of the Twins 1st rounders in the late 90s, I believe it was Ryan Mills, was also the son of a manager. Didn't work out in his case.

And the relevance of this is...?

5 hours ago, Monkeypaws said:

I remember one of the Twins 1st rounders in the late 90s, I believe it was Ryan Mills, was also the son of a manager. Didn't work out in his case.

 

[DocBauer]

I think this kid is the real deal. He's probably going to end up being the Twins #3 hitter really soon. My only question...about his bat...is how much pure HR power is he going to have. Is he going to be a consistent 35-40 doubles hitter with around 20 HR per? Or will he translate 8-10 of those doubles in to HR's?

IMO, he and Lewis are the 3B and 2B of the future, and neither is a waste of talent at either spot. Both will have the ability to be excellent defensively and All Star caliber players. Miranda should play 1B/3B/DH. Kirilloff with hopefully reach his potential. Julien will play 1B/2B/DH. This could all transpire before or during the 2024 season. The Twins would have one of the best infields in all of MLB, especially when we add Correa in to the mix. But where does it leave Polanco, who I'm not anxious to see go anywhere? 

Wow!

[gman]

The Twins have had their share of first round misfortune, maybe its time for us to see the other side of that wheel. A guy that fly's through the system and starts pushing other guys out of the way before he even gets here. because I don't doubt some players and coaches are looking over their shoulder and wondering what position he'll wind up at. This team in a year's time could go from maybe a possible allstar to 6 or 7 players deserving of votes. I know, wait until it gets here.

[Fatbat]

9 hours ago, MGM4706 said:

Great. Twins have a legit prospect and of course he has to be a SS!! Maybe spend this year learning a new position!!

Odds are that he will play 3rd for a couple years and play SS when Correa has a dayoff and Lee will switch to SS when Correa is ready to move to 3rd.

[D.C Twins]

Lee to 3rd and Miranda to 1st and let Polonco and Julian figure out 2nd ... but then there is Lewis... what great problems to have! (I have my serious doubts about Krills long term health but I hope I'm wrong).

Lee may end up being like Moss, Jefferson, Peterson, Culpepper falling into Vikings lap.... aweseome!  

[JD-TWINS]

10 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I love it - let the prospect rise as quick as his talent and attitude allow.  I would love to see him at 2B with Miranda at 3B, Polanco trade bait.  Then what to do with Lewis - what a good problem.

I’ve assumed if Lewis comes back strong, by ‘24 3rd base would be his. That left 2nd base for Lee. This doesn’t read that way at all.

Whatever works!

I guess he can stay at SS on the Farm and make sure Correa stays healthy this year? Gotta work at 3rd or 2nd by the latter half of the year so he can at least play some in September.

Lee & Lewis & a healthy Kirilof in ‘24 make Miranda the extra 1B guy v. lefties……back-up at 3rd………..DH. He could be part of a trade package as well. 

Hoping for a solid ‘23 for all 3 of them!

[JD-TWINS]

6 hours ago, big dog said:

Blyleven

 

Blyleven had about 70 wins by the time he was Lee’s age……,he’s the real extreme!!

[JD-TWINS]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Blyleven had about 70 wins by the time he was Lee’s age……,he’s the real extreme!!

Undersold Bert - took a look, he actually had 95 wins by the end of age 24 season. Gotta be close to Top 5 for that many wins that young!!

Hopefully, we’re celebrating Lee in a few years!

[Blyleven2011]

If Lee proves himself in minors and gets a call up to the majors this year ....

  I'd he hits and  gets on base it will take the sting  out of trading arraez ...

The twins need productive hitters and Lee appears to be one , Julien  another and Lewis too , let the boys play  ...

We need some exciting twin baseball and when these players start playing and producing together I think things are going to be exciting and positive  ...

[Shaitan]

I hope they don't call him up.

What about those AAAA players on the fringe of the 40-roster. They're probably all the next David Ortiz or Liam Hendriks.

/s

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

I’ve assumed if Lewis comes back strong, by ‘24 3rd base would be his. That left 2nd base for Lee. This doesn’t read that way at all.

Whatever works!

I guess he can stay at SS on the Farm and make sure Correa stays healthy this year? Gotta work at 3rd or 2nd by the latter half of the year so he can at least play some in September.

Lee & Lewis & a healthy Kirilof in ‘24 make Miranda the extra 1B guy v. lefties……back-up at 3rd………..DH. He could be part of a trade package as well. 

Hoping for a solid ‘23 for all 3 of them!

You know I I know somebody the reason I didn't write what you were expecting is because I have high hopes for Miranda. Probably more than most of the writers on these pages. So I think we have an interesting situation with Miranda Lewis and Lee and I have to see what Lewis comes back as before projecting him for anything. We also have to see what Kiriloff can do if he's healthy.

[Monkeypaws]

19 hours ago, bird said:

And the relevance of this is...?

 

Much has been made of the fact that Lee played for his Dad. My point is that it doesn't guarantee anything.