Korey Lee Bio
Korey Bryan Lee is an American professional baseball catcher who currently plays for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Vista, California, Lee emerged as one of the top prospects in baseball after a standout collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley. The Houston Astros selected him in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut in 2022. Lee captured a World Series championship with the Houston Astros during his rookie season, establishing himself as a promising defensive and offensive talent behind the plate.
Early Life and Background
Korey Bryan Lee was born on July 25, 1998, in Vista, California, where he grew up attending Vista High School. During his senior year in 2016, Lee demonstrated exceptional hitting ability, posting a .407 batting average with 21 runs batted in. Despite his impressive high school performance, he went undrafted in the 2016 MLB Draft, which led him to pursue collegiate baseball at the next level.
Lee enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he played for the California Golden Bears baseball program. His freshman season in 2017 saw him appear in 28 games, making 18 starts while batting .277 with three RBIs. He continued developing during the summer by playing in the Northwoods League, gaining valuable experience against higher competition.
Path to Professional Baseball
As a sophomore in 2018, Lee appeared in 36 games with 28 starts, hitting .238 with five home runs and 26 RBIs. He returned to the Northwoods League that summer, where his performance improved significantly as he hit .283 with six home runs and 44 RBIs across 57 games. This breakout summer helped elevate his draft stock heading into his junior season.
Lee saved his best collegiate performance for his junior year in 2019. He slashed .339/.415/.613 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs over 50 games, earning recognition on the Pac-12 First Team. His exceptional statistical output and defensive prowess as a catcher made him one of the top prospects in the country, setting the stage for his selection in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Korey Lee Career
Houston Astros (2019–2023)
The Houston Astros selected Lee with the 32nd overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He signed for $1.75 million and began his professional career with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A Short Season New York-Penn League. Over 64 games that season, Lee slashed .268/.359/.371 with three home runs, 28 RBIs, and eight stolen bases, showcasing his well-rounded skill set early on.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Lee returned in 2021 with renewed determination. He began with the Asheville Tourists of the High-A East, hitting .330/.397/.459 with three home runs and 14 RBIs over 29 games before earning a promotion to the Corpus Christi Hooks of Double-A. After a brief stint on the injured list with an oblique strain, Lee finished the season strong and earned a promotion to Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters. His combined 2021 statistics showed a .277/.340/.438 slash line with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs across 88 games, solidifying his status as a top prospect.
MLB Breakthrough (2022)
On July 1, 2022, the Astros selected Lee’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that night as a pinch hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. Three days later, on July 4, Lee recorded his first major league start at Minute Maid Park against the Kansas City Royals.
Lee achieved his first major league hit and RBI on July 10 against the Oakland Athletics, singling off Cole Irvin in the fifth inning to score Jake Meyers. He followed with his first career double in the seventh inning, finishing the night 3-for-4 with three RBIs as Houston won 6-1. This performance signaled his ability to contribute at the highest level.
On August 23, 2022, while with Triple-A Sugar Land, Lee hit three home runs and drove in a career-high five runs in a 23-8 victory over the Las Vegas Aviators. This marked the first multi-homer game of his professional career. The Astros added Lee to their World Series roster prior to Game 6, replacing the injured Yuli Gurriel. Houston defeated the Philadelphia Phillies to win the championship, giving Lee his first World Series title in just his rookie season.
Chicago White Sox Era (2023–Present)
On July 28, 2023, the Chicago White Sox acquired Lee from the Astros in exchange for right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman. The trade represented a new chapter for Lee as he joined an organization looking to build around young talent. He was called up to the active roster on August 24, 2023, and appeared in 24 games for Chicago that season, struggling to find his rhythm with a .077/.143/.139 batting line, one home run, and three RBIs.
Lee began the 2024 season with Triple-A Charlotte Knights but was recalled to the White Sox Opening Day roster following an injury to Max Stassi. He settled into a regular role, appearing in 125 games while batting .210/.244/.347 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs. The increased playing time allowed him to gain valuable experience handling major league pitching staff and developing his defensive leadership behind the plate.
In 2025, Lee spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Charlotte, appearing in just 26 games for the White Sox. He showed improved offensive output in his limited MLB opportunities, slashing .257/.333/.429 with one home run and three RBIs. The season presented challenges as the White Sox navigated roster fluctuations, but Lee continued working on his defensive game and offensive approach at the Triple-A level.
Defensive Profile and Strengths
Lee has established himself as a defensive-minded catcher with above-average arm strength and solid receiving skills. His ability to handle pitching staffs and call games has been a point of emphasis throughout his development. He worked closely with various catchers coaches and veteran players during his time with the Astros, absorbing knowledge that he now applies in his leadership role behind the plate.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his 2022 World Series championship, Lee’s most memorable professional moment came with his three-homer game for Triple-A Sugar Land in August 2022. That performance demonstrated his raw power and ability to impact games offensively. His first MLB hit and multi-RBI game against Oakland in July 2022 represented the realization of his childhood dream of succeeding at the major league level.
Korey Lee Career Statistics
Lee has compiled his major league statistics across parts of four seasons with the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox. His career numbers reflect his development as an offensive contributor while maintaining his defensive responsibilities behind the plate.
Major League Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Lee has played in 175 career MLB games, accumulating 14 home runs and 47 runs batted in with a career batting average of .193. His most productive MLB season came in 2024 with the White Sox, where he logged 125 games and set career highs in home runs (12) and RBIs (37). He also recorded a career-best .210 batting average that season while handling a significant workload behind the plate.
Minor League Development
Prior to his MLB promotion, Lee established himself as a consistent performer throughout the minor leagues. His 2021 season between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A showcased his ability to hit for average and power at every level, with a combined .277 batting average and 11 home runs. The Arizona Fall League appearance after that season further accelerated his development against top prospects.
| Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 175 | .193 | 14 | 47 |
| 2024 MLB Season | 125 | .210 | 12 | 37 |
| 2025 MLB Season | 26 | .257 | 1 | 3 |
Korey Lee Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Lee grew up in Vista, California, as the son of Bryan Lee, who supported his son’s baseball ambitions from a young age. His family environment fostered a deep love for the game, and his father played an instrumental role in his development as a catcher throughout his youth career.
Personal Life
Lee maintains a strong presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. He continues to represent Vista, California, as his hometown throughout his professional career. Lee’s journey from an undrafted high school player to World Series champion reflects his dedication and work ethic that characterized his approach throughout his amateur and professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented unique challenges for Lee and the Chicago White Sox organization. After beginning the year in Triple-A Charlotte, he received a call-up to the major league roster and appeared in 26 games for Chicago. While his sample size was limited, Lee showed encouraging signs with his offensive approach, posting a .257 batting average that exceeded his career average.
The White Sox continued their youth movement during the 2025 campaign, providing Lee with opportunities to develop alongside other young players in the organization. His defensive work behind the plate remained a priority, and he focused on improving his pitch-framing and game-calling abilities during his time in the minors.
Looking ahead, Lee remains a key part of Chicago’s future plans behind the plate. His experience winning a World Series with Houston and his continued development at the Triple-A level position him as a potential everyday catcher for the White Sox. The 2025 season served as a building year, allowing him to refine his offensive approach while maintaining his defensive excellence that teams value in starting catchers.