Twins GM Says Brooks Lee Can Call Himself Up to Big Leagues Whenever He Feels Ready
The Minnesota Twins may be taking their time making additions to the roster this offseason, but there are other plans in motion to help the team improve in 2024. While fans are getting restless waiting for a big move, top prospect Brooks Lee could end up making a name for himself in the major leagues sooner than anyone expected.
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The Twins drafted the infield prospect with the eighth overall pick (Cal Poly University) less than two years ago, as a 21-year-old kid. Not even two months later, Lee was already in action, making his Twins debut at rookie ball.
Brooks Lee Rising Fast Through Minnesota Twins System
Less than a week later, Lee was promoted to Cedar Rapids, where he’d compete in the High-A Midwest League. Twenty-five games later, the Twins moved Lee up to AA, where he was three years younger than the average player.
Once his second season began, the Twins kept Lee at Double-A, where he smacked 11 home runs with a batting average of .292 and an OPS of .841. After 87 games, the Twins felt Lee was ready for more, so they promoted him to Triple-A, where he’d play for the St. Paul Saints.
"I was beating myself up in BP."
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 4, 2023
No. 2 @Twins prospect Brooks Lee put thoughts of swing changes to rest with his first four-hit game for the @StPaulSaints: https://t.co/GuDvQF3LJa pic.twitter.com/Wnc1tNWpGV
Lee, now four years older than the average AAA player, struggled a bit, hitting just .237, but he still had five home runs and a respectable OPS of .731 in 38 games and 168 plate appearances. While Lee didn’t hit the cover off the ball for the Saints, the Twins don’t plan to slow MLB’s 18th-ranked prospect down in 2024. In fact, it sounds like they’re being more aggressive with their young infielder.
GM Thad Levine Wants Brooks Lee On Twins ASAP
On Sunday, Twins GM Thad Levine spoke to MLB Network Radio, where he unveiled the team’s plans for Brooks Lee for the upcoming season. Lee, who finished the year at Triple-A in 2023, will return to the St. Paul Saints to start the season. However, Levine also made it clear that the Twins want Lee in the big leagues as soon as he’s ready.
The Twins plan for infielder Brooks Lee — No. 18 overall prospect, per @MLBPipeline — to begin 2024 at Triple-A, GM Thad Levine told @MLBNetworkRadio today.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 28, 2024
Levine continued: “When he tells us he’s ready to go, we’re going to get him up to the big leagues.” @MLBNetwork
This is quite the contrast from how the team has typically operated in the past, especially when there isn’t a clear need ready to be addressed. As talented as Lee is, he doesn’t have a clear future in Minnesota, with Royce Lewis likely set at third base and Carlos Correa at shortstop.
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One area where Lee could eventually take over is at second base, where Jorge Polanco and Edouard Julien are expected to play. Yet, Polanco’s long-term future is in question, and Julien is still figuring out how to field his position too. If so, a future Twins infield of 3B Lewis, SS Correa, 2B Lee, and Kirilloff/Julien at 1B could reap benefits.
As a switch-hitter with great contact rates and plus power for his size, Lee should have no trouble making his MLB debut this season. Lee can likely fill in anywhere along the infield, but first, he’ll have to thrive in Triple-A before getting his first cup of coffee with the Twins. Yet, Lee will also get a great chance to make a strong impression on Rocco Baldelli during Spring Training too.
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