Chase Alexander Lee is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on August 13, 1998, in McCalla, Alabama, Lee has established himself as a reliable bullpen arm after an unconventional path to professional baseball. After not receiving any Division I offers, he walked on to the University of Alabama baseball team and developed into an All-American closer. The Texas Rangers selected Lee in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, and he has since climbed the minor league ladder to become a major league pitcher. Lee made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in April 2025 before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in December 2025. His career has been marked by steady progression and adaptability, having played for three MLB organizations in just two years.
Early Life and Background
Chase Alexander Lee was born on August 13, 1998, in McCalla, Alabama. He attended McAdory High School in his hometown, where he played baseball primarily as a shortstop. Lee pitched only sparingly during one season in high school, typically taking the field at his primary position. After graduating from McAdory High School, Lee enrolled at the University of Alabama, though he did not receive any scholarship offers to play college baseball at the Division I level.
Upon arriving at Alabama, Lee tried out for the Crimson Tide baseball team as a freshman but was not offered a spot on the roster. Determined to continue his baseball career, he worked to modify his pitching mechanics. Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon recommended that Lee transition to a sidearm delivery, a change that would become instrumental in his future success. Lee joined the Alabama club baseball team, where he posted remarkable numbers with a 7-0 record and a 0.21 earned run average.
Lee’s dedication paid off when he made the Crimson Tide roster as a walk-on the following season. As a sophomore, he appeared in 22 games and recorded a 2.67 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 31 and one-third innings pitched. He also played collegiate summer baseball for the Bethesda Big Train in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, where he was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year after leading the circuit with 51 strikeouts and seven saves while posting a 1.03 ERA.
Path to Professional Baseball
Lee entered his redshirt sophomore season with Alabama named as the team’s closer. He performed exceptionally before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, recording a 1.64 ERA with 19 strikeouts in five appearances. The shortened season did not diminish his stock, and Lee returned for his junior year with increased confidence and a refined repertoire.
During his junior season, Lee emerged as one of the top pitchers in college baseball. He posted a 7-0 record with a 1.33 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 40 and two-thirds innings pitched. His dominant performance earned him third-team All-American honors, solidifying his reputation as a strikeout artist with exceptional control. The combination of his sidearm delivery and ability to miss bats made him an intriguing prospect for professional scouts.
Chase Alexander Lee Career
Minor League Development (2021-2024)
The Texas Rangers selected Lee in the sixth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. After signing with the organization, he was assigned to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Rangers, where he made one appearance before earning a promotion to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. Lee finished his first professional season with Frisco, going 0-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 27 strikeouts across 17 innings pitched.
Lee returned to Frisco to open the 2022 season and picked up where he left off. He compiled a 1-1 record with a 2.25 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 24 innings before receiving a promotion to the Triple-A Round Rock Express on June 14. With Round Rock, Lee went 1-1 with a 5.46 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31 and one-third innings. His consistency and ability to miss bats at multiple levels earned him the Texas Rangers 2022 Minor League Reliever of the Year award.
Detroit Tigers (2025)
On July 30, 2024, Lee’s tenure with the Rangers organization came to an end when he and Joseph Montalvo were traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Andrew Chafin. Lee reported to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, where he logged a 1-3 record with a 3.27 ERA and 31 strikeouts across 22 innings in 17 appearances. Following the season, the Tigers added Lee to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, signaling their confidence in his potential.
Lee began the 2025 season optioned to Triple-A Toledo but did not wait long for his major league opportunity. On April 22, 2025, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career. Lee made his MLB debut that evening against the San Diego Padres, tossing one and two-thirds scoreless innings with one strikeout. He recorded his first career win on May 21, working two scoreless innings of relief against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lee appeared in 32 games for Detroit during his rookie campaign, compiling a 4-1 record with a 4.10 ERA and 36 strikeouts across 37 and one-third innings pitched.
Toronto Blue Jays (2026-Present)
On December 12, 2025, Lee was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitcher Johan Simon. The Blue Jays acquired Lee to bolster their bullpen depth following his promising rookie season with Detroit. Upon joining the Blue Jays organization, Lee was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the regular season. He was called up to the major leagues on April 27, 2026, and appeared in one game before being optioned back to Buffalo the following day.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lee features a sidearm delivery that he developed during his time at the University of Alabama under the guidance of head coach Brad Bohannon. This arm angle creates a deceptive plane for hitters, making it difficult for right-handed batters to pick up the ball. His ability to generate ground-ball outs has made him an effective option in high-leverage situations, particularly when the team needs to induce a double play or limit extra-base hits.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lee’s path to professional baseball stands as one of his most notable stories. Despite not receiving any Division I offers out of high school, he walked on to the Alabama baseball team and eventually earned All-American honors. His first career MLB win on May 21, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals represented a significant milestone in his progression from walk-on to major league contributor. The award as Texas Rangers Minor League Reliever of the Year in 2022 validated his transformation from a club baseball player to one of the top relief prospects in the Rangers organization.
Chase Alexander Lee Career Wins
Lee has built a solid professional career across five seasons in affiliated baseball, accumulating wins at both the minor and major league levels. His most productive professional season came in 2023 with Triple-A Round Rock, where he appeared in 43 games and posted a 3-4 record. His rookie MLB season with Detroit in 2025 saw him compile a 4-1 record across 32 appearances, establishing himself as a reliable member of the Tigers bullpen.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through May 24, 2026, Lee has appeared in 34 major league games across two seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. He has compiled a career win-loss record of 4-1 with a 4.43 earned run average and 37 strikeouts. His debut season in 2025 was particularly strong, as he went 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA in 32 relief appearances for Detroit. Lee earned his first career victory on May 21, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching two scoreless innings in relief.
Minor League Wins
Lee accumulated multiple wins during his time in the minor leagues with the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers organizations. He went a combined 6-9 across four minor league seasons from 2021 to 2024, primarily pitching for Double-A Frisco, Triple-A Round Rock, and Triple-A Toledo. His best minor league season came in 2023 with Round Rock, where he went 3-4 with a 3.98 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 63 and one-third innings across 43 appearances.
| Competition Level | Games | Win-Loss | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2025-2026) | 34 | 4-1 | 4.43 | 37 |
| Triple-A (2022-2025) | 85 | 6-9 | 3.73 | 170 |
Chase Alexander Lee Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Lee grew up in McCalla, Alabama, where he attended McAdory High School. Information regarding his parents and family background remains private and has not been publicly disclosed. His journey to professional baseball was not influenced by immediate family connections to the sport, as he carved his own path through dedication and adaptability.
Personal Life
Lee resides primarily in the cities where his baseball career takes him. During his college years at Alabama, he developed a reputation as a hard worker who overcame significant obstacles to reach the professional level. The transition from a club baseball player to a major league pitcher within four years demonstrated his ability to adapt and improve rapidly. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children have not been made public.
2026 Season Performance
Lee began the 2026 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons after being optioned to minor league camp during spring training. The Blue Jays called him up to the major league roster on April 27, 2026, and he appeared in one game before being optioned back to Buffalo the following day. This pattern of shuttle service between Triple-A and the majors has characterized the early portion of his Blue Jays tenure, as the organization evaluates his role within their bullpen structure.
Through May 24, 2026, Lee has made a combined 34 major league appearances spanning his time with Detroit and Toronto, posting a 4-1 record with a 4.43 ERA and 37 strikeouts. His statistics reflect the typical adjustment period that many young relievers experience when transitioning to a new league and organizational system. The Blue Jays continue to monitor his development closely, viewing him as a potential long-term bullpen piece for their major league club.