On Sunday, the Minnesota Twins were looking for pitches in the upper half of the zone against Toronto Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis. Over half of his pitches are four-seamers, but he beats opposing hitters with a splitter (22.7%) and curveball (14%) down in the zone.
In the fourth inning of Minnesota’s 6-3 win, Brooks Lee saw a fastball up in the zone and turned on it. The ball sailed over the right-field wall, tying the game 3-3.
“It spun right, it was really far in,” said Lee. “Just happened to get enough of the barrel.”
Lee is the son of Larry Lee, who has coached at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif., since 2003. The Twins took Lee eighth overall in 2022, and he profiled as a polished hitter whose advanced approach and contact skills were major league-ready.
However, Lee’s gift is his curse. He puts nearly everything he hits into play, but that can mean slow-rollers that major-league infielders routinely turn into outs. Lee hit .221/.265/.320 with three home runs last year, 35% worse than the average major-league hitter.
Lee has improved at the plate this year, though. Through 49 games, he’s hitting .250/.291/.364, 17% worse than the average major-league hitter. However, he’s on a 10-game hitting streak dating back to Minnesota’s 0-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on May 28. He’s hit .317/.349/.415 with one home run during the streak.
He hit his lone home run during the streak against Toronto on Sunday.
“Brooks made really quick adjustments in the game,” said Baldelli. “Again, a lot of pitches below the zone.
“There were probably times in his career where he would just be more of a swinger. Now he’s recognizing, knowing what he’s looking for, shortening up in his at-bats sooner than maybe getting to two strikes, and then he’s doing it earlier. It’s leading to very good things.”
Lee is a switch-hitter, so he must maintain two swings throughout the season. He’s also only had 374 plate appearances in his career, so he’s still adjusting to major-league pitching. Lee says the key to his success during the 10-game hitting streak is waiting for a pitch he can drive into the outfield.
“I’m just more comfortable with pitching,” said Lee, “seeing balls better.
“I wouldn’t say that same thing two weeks ago. But, yeah, I just feel a difference right now at the plate left-handed, making strides right-handed, too. And I just feel like I’m more comfortable with taking pitches and taking strikes, not necessarily stuff that I shouldn’t hit.”
It’s the difference between swinging at a ball he can make contact with and one he can drive into the outfield. Lee’s plate discipline is still a work in progress. He had 27 strikeouts and 11 walks in 50 games last year; he has 34 strikeouts and 10 walks this year. However, his increase in slugging percentage from .320 to .360 indicates he’s making better contact.
“That’s the fine line,” he said. “If I want to swing, it has to be quality contact.
“Because if I do swing, I’m usually going to put it in play. So, yeah, sometimes I have to lay off. I have to be more patient.”
Baldelli said Lee’s home run is a good example of the approach the Twins want Lee to take.
“A lot of his successes relate to swinging at good pitches and shortening up and doing that,” said Baldelli, “and occasionally suck your hands inside and hit one down the line and into the stands.
“That’s just a byproduct of going up there with a great offensive idea and executing it.”
Lee is 24 and has yet to reach 500 plate appearances, so he’s still a developing player. Because his father trained him professionally, people had high expectations for him entering the league. However, he hasn’t reached his prime yet.
If he ends up delivering on his promise as a prospect, Lee’s at-bats will look like the one that led to the home run against Toronto on Sunday.
