Did Brooks Lee Just Have A Breakout Moment?

The Minnesota Twins didn’t intend to manufacture a moment for Brooks Lee. Still, they did.

On Thursday, Derek Shelton had inserted utilityman Tristan Gray at shortstop to give Lee a mental and physical break. It was a day game after a night game, and Lee was hitting .167/.219/.167 and had two errors at shortstop.

Minnesota’s 2022 first-round pick was scuffling and needed something to get him going. That moment came in the top of the eighth inning, when Shelton used him as a defensive replacement in a 1-1 game where the Twins had an opportunity to complete a four-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers.

Lee came up to bat in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and the bases loaded, and he delivered. Detroit reliever Will Vest got two early strikes on Lee, but he worked the count back to full and hit a two-run single to give the Twins a 3-1 lead.

“I feel like that was the biggest situation I could have been put in,” Lee said. “I could see I was going to get up at some point. I did think if Royce (Lewis) hits an infield single, then I’ll be up with the bases loaded and two outs. Of course, I thought of it, and then sure enough, the next pitch it happened.”

The Twins should be able to trust Lee in those kinds of situations.

Brooks Lee grew up playing for his father, longtime Cal Poly coach Larry Lee, in Central California. Larry had a hitting facility in his backyard and a college coach offering him instruction since birth. Brooks developed hitting instincts and a discerning eye early.

When the Twins took Lee eighth overall in 2022, MLB.com described him as a polished hitter close to major league-ready.

“The switch-hitting Lee entered pro ball with a reputation for having an advanced approach and impressive contact skills,” they wrote.

MLB.com also added that while he was more limited defensively, he could stick at short. “While he’s just an average runner,” they wrote, “his instincts, internal clock, and hands all give him the chance to play shortstop.”

The Twins are testing both propositions this season. Lee is only 25, but he’s in his third major-league season. On Thursday, he had his 745th plate appearance. Most teams have a good idea what they have in a player once he’s had 1000 plate appearances.

Given his draft pedigree, Lee should be more than a .230/.278/.349 hitter, which is 27% worse than the league average since he entered the majors. Stats don’t lie, so Lee must ensure that they’re fibbing a bit this season.

Twins manager Derek Shelton says Lee’s teammates and coaches are hoping his numbers are telling a tall tale. Lee admitted to “grinding” a bit early this season, and Shelton acknowledged he’s been “fighting it.” That’s what made Lee’s two-run hit in the eighth inning on Thursday so euphoric.

“You see the genuine excitement and emotion (in the dugout),” Shelton said. “You know, this is a brotherhood. They know one of their guys is struggling right now. And when you come up in a big situation like that, and get a hit, it’s a nice feeling to know the other 25 guys are behind you.”

Lee said a conversation with his father about staying positive helped him break out of his slump.

“I needed to talk to my dad for 30 minutes last night,” Lee said. “It felt like a really good talk that we had. Just trying to get things off my chest, because I keep it in all the time. It’s a tough game.”

Lee probably won’t stick at shortstop long-term. 2024 first-round pick Kaelen Culpepper is off to a hot start in Triple-A and may eventually take over at short. 2025 first-rounder Marek Houston may eventually be Minnesota’s long-term solution at the position.

Still, Lee can become a core player in Minnesota if he hits. The Twins didn’t want to use Luke Keaschall in the outfield last year because he was coming off Tommy John surgery. However, they could eventually use him in a corner spot and move Lee to third.

Ultimately, Brooks Lee must hit to stay in Minnesota’s plans. If he hits, they’ll find a spot for him defensively. Because, as everyone saw on Thursday, Lee can be a difference-maker when he feels like himself at the plate.