Here is a closer look at Draft Prospect Brooks Lee. As we get closer to the MLB draft, one name that could easily be the number one overall pick is the 6’1″, 190-pound shortstop Brooks Lee. The Cal Poly Mustang is one of the top prospects in the 2022 MLB Draft class. And he could fit on any team quickly.
Path to the MLB Draft
Brooks Lee was a highly publicized prospect coming out of high school. Some draft publications had him going in the first two rounds of the 2019 draft. He decided, however, to enroll at Cal Poly where his dad, Larry Lee, is the head coach.
A redshirt-freshman in 2021, Lee earned a starting role, and had an excellent season for the Mustangs. He hit .342, with 76 hits, 27 doubles, three triples and he added ten home runs, and had 57 RBI.
He continued to produce in the 2022 season, hitting .368 with 67 hits, which include 20 doubles, nine home runs, and 40 RBI. Lee earned many accolades including Perfect Game Preseason All-American First Team, Baseball America Preseason All-American First Team, and 2022 D1Baseball.com Preseason All-American First Team. He was also named the nation’s top collegiate shortstop by the College Baseball Foundation.
Strengths
Lee has an excellent baseball IQ helped by growing up around his dad, a successful coach who himself briefly played pro ball. His two uncles, Terry Lee and Mike Lee, both played professional baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization.
He is a very talented switch-hitter. Many scouts say he could move quickly through MiLB with his excellent plate approach and his bat-to-ball ability. In his two seasons at Cal Poly, he’s shown a balanced composure from both sides of the plate.
In the defensive department, Lee has an above-average arm with natural glove instincts. He has shown the quick footwork, and reliable hands required to play shortstop long-term. His .974 fielding percentage is considered excellent for a college player.
Weaknesses
There are not a lot of weakness to see as of yet. However, Cal Poly is not a strong baseball school, and Lee did not face much top-notch competition. This could be a weakness when he hits the big leagues, and had to contend with much stronger opponents.
Then there are the mental aspects. Once drafted, some players can have the challenges of traveling in the minor leagues. Long bus rides, staying in motels, small towns, etc. day in and day out can wear on a player not only physically, but mentally as well. This could be offset by the experiences of his father and uncles and having them to rely on, but he will need to find a way to deal with any stresses and strains.
MLB Comparison
Brooks Lee has a style similar to that of Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins. Lee is a little taller than Polanco, but both have shown great contact skills, and both have similarities in several aspects other aspects including great bat-to-ball skills, a durable glove, and an above-average arm. Lee appears to be the more aggressive of the two and more reliant on his bat speed. However, if he can hit for power like Polanco, he can be a productive player in MLB for many years.
Bottom Line
Brooks Lee has the size you like to see in a shortstop. He has quick hands at the plate, and in the field. Due to what scouts refer to as a “ballplayer” and a “student of the game,” his defensive skills could easily be productive at second base, making him more versatile.
Predictions have him coming off the board early during the 2022 draft. It’s even possible he could go number one to the Baltimore Orioles. Whoever drafts him will be getting an excellent prospect. Once he gets experience and great coaching at the MLB level, he could be an excellent contact hitter and a Gold Glove-caliber player at shortstop, or even second base if he is moved there. Brooks Lee will be an interesting play to watch over the next few years.
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