clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2022 MLB Draft Profile: Brooks Lee

Should the Marlins select Lee if he’s available with their first-round draft pick?

Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee charges a ground ball Courtesy of Baseball America

Brooks Lee is a 6’1” 190-pound shortstop who plays for the Cal Poly Mustangs. Lee is one of the top prospects in the 2022 MLB Draft class and could be on the Marlins’ radar.

Coming out of high school, Lee was a highly touted prospect projected to go in the first three rounds of the 2019 draft. However, Lee decided to delay his professional career, instead enrolling at Cal Poly to be coached by his father, Larry Lee. (The Giants selected him in the 35th round that year.)

During his first season at Cal Poly, Lee only played in two games due to the COVID-shortened 2020 schedule and two leg injuries. As a redshirt-freshman, he earned a starting role and had a monster season for the Mustangs. Lee slashed .342/.384/.626 with 76 hits, 27 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, 57 runs batted in, 18 walks, and a 1.010 OPS.

During the 2022 season, Lee has continued to produce at the plate. He’s slashing .368/.476/.637 with 67 hits, 20 doubles, nine home runs, 40 runs batted in, 40 walks, and a 1.113 OPS while playing in all 46 games for the Mustangs.

Lee has one of the best hit tools in this draft class as he makes loud contact to all fields and doesn’t strike out a ton.

Also, Lee is praised for his baseball IQ, no doubt helped by growing up around a successful coach who himself briefly played pro ball.

Strengths

  • Plus hit tools
  • Excellent plate approach
  • High Baseball IQ
  • Good arm strength
  • Consistently makes hard contact
  • Drives the ball to all fields
  • Raked in the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate League

Weaknesses

  • Doesn’t face great competition at Cal Poly
  • Injury history
  • Projected to play at third instead of shortstop at the next level

Pro Comparison: Chase Utley

Projection: Top 10 pick


Bottom Line

Brooks Lee should come off the board early during the 2022 draft, though there’s a good chance he’s still available at sixth overall. If Lee is still available when the Marlins are on the clock, he is worthy of serious consideration. The Marlins haven’t selected a college infielder in the first round since Colin Moran (2013).

Lee is a very talented switch-hitter capable of moving quickly through the minors with his advanced plate approach and bat-to-ball skills. Even in a hitter-heavy draft class, there aren’t many better pure hitters than Brooks Lee.