“Full-Go” Brooks Lee Preparing for Unknown Role with Twins… but Back Injury Still Lingers

Brooks Lee, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

This season is a big one for some young Minnesota Twins contributors. Brooks Lee already made his MLB debut last season, but given all the questions surrounding the 2025 squad, manager Rocco Baldelli hopes to lean on the 2022 No. 8 overall pick more heavily.

Brooks Lee opens up about his chronic back injury

After a 2024 season full of injuries, to start his professional career, the biggest concern surrounding Lee is his health, specifically his back. Last year, Brooks admitted that his back pain could be chronic, and something he has to manage for the rest of his career, something he reiterated during an interview this week with Twins Radio producer, Mark Genosky.

“I’m full-go now. I see the back as something that might be there for the rest of my career. It’s just about doing a good job of pain management. Other than that, my shoulder was barking during the year but now it feels great. I had time off, and doing a different type of rehab than I ever had, really focusing on my scap (scapula), shoulder, and posture too, was a big thing. All those things have gotten taken care of so I feel great now. It’s just one of those things that I have to continue to learn about my body so every year I can come back stronger and better.”

Brooks Lee on his health status (X)

Last season, Lee played in just 85 games across all professional levels. He would have been an early MLB call-up, had it not been for the back issue that popped up. Instead, Brooks got in just 50 big league games during his debut season, slashing .221/.265/.320 with six doubles and three home runs.

Brooks Lee told Genosky during this interview that “usually the second time around [with a new team] is when I really start putting up some good numbers”. Let’s hope that proves true. At this point in his career, Lee should be a high-average hitter who will make solid contact and drive baseballs into the gap, when he connects.

Related: Minnesota Twins Sign Boatload of 2025 International Free Agents

Where does Lee fit in for the 2025 Minnesota Twins?

Last summer, we only saw the good side of Lee’s game in small bursts, but he says that’ll change this summer. And I believe him. Brooks Lee is a cerebrial ball player. With one year of MLB experience under his belt, and more knowledge on how to properly manage his back pain, I expect the Twins’ former top prospect to take his game to the next level in 2025.

When Brooks Lee entered spring training last year, he was a shortstop. That was supposed to change in a big way, once he got to the MLB, being the Twins employ Carlos Correa. But when Lee returned from his early-season injury absence, Correa left the lineup with plantar fasciitis and didn’t return for months.

Brooks Lee and other infielders taking a knee in the infield - Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

That led to more time at his natural position than expected, for Lee. He played 27 games at shortstop, which was more than what he played at 2nd base (11) and 3rd base (13) combined. In 2024, with Correa expected to be healthy on opening day, the Twins haven’t told Brooks Lee what position he will be playing yet. Genosky revealed that as part of a questions and spoke for Lee, in saying that he is preparing for a super-utility role in the infield.

“We were talking earlier about how the team hasn’t told you to concentrate on a position, but that right now you are preparing to be that super-utility player for Rocco; play some 3B, some SS and some 2B.”

Mark Genosky reveals unknown surrounding Brooks Lee on defense in 2025

New infield coach should help Brooks Lee adapt to whatever position he plays

To aid Lee no matter where he plays defensively for the 2025 Minnesota Twins, Lee will have a not so new infielders coach, Ramon Borrego, to help him along. Brooks played 87 games with Borrego’s Wichita Wind Surge back in 2023. Now, the newly promoted Twins coach will be part of Lee’s development at the big league level too.

“He was great [Ramon Borrego]. He was the first coach that I had a good amount of time with. Not just on the defensive side, because he’s a great defensive coach, but just about baseball. He was ultra-competitive which was super fun to play for. When you’re in the minor leagues, sometimes it’s not all about winning, it’s about development… I was hoping that someday I would play for him again and that seems to be happening.”

Lee on coach Ramon Borrego (X)

Right now the only Twins infield position to have a solid answer is shortstop with Carlos Correa. Third base and second base have more question marks. Royce Lewis could play 2nd base or 3rd base, depending on who else is in the infield between Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda.

Related: Former Minnesota Twins Player Retires from Broadcast Booth

As of now, Jose Miranda is the in-house favorite to play 1st base, but that is far from set in stone. If the Twins are going to be competitive in 2025, they will need to play strong infield defense. That was difficult last season with so many injuries. If Lee can stay healthy, he’ll have the opportunity to impact multiple spots.

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