Brooks Lee Bio
Brooks Thomas Lee (born February 14, 2001) is an American professional baseball shortstop and third baseman for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2022 MLB draft with the eighth overall pick, and he made his MLB debut in 2024. Lee is regarded as one of the most promising young players in professional baseball, showcasing exceptional batting skills and defensive prowess throughout his development. Known for his consistency at the plate and ability to drive in runs, Lee has quickly established himself as a key component of the Twins organization future plans.
Early Life and Background
Brooks Thomas Lee was born on February 14, 2001, in San Luis Obispo, California. He grew up in a baseball family as his father, Larry Lee, serves as the head baseball coach at Cal Poly. His family connection to the sport and the presence of his father in collegiate baseball provided Lee with early exposure and mentorship that shaped his development as a player. He was named after Brooks Robinson, the legendary Hall of Fame third baseman, reflecting his family deep appreciation for baseball excellence.
Lee attended San Luis Obispo High School in his hometown, where he quickly established himself as an outstanding hitter. During his freshman season, he batted an impressive .438. As a junior, he continued his dominance by hitting .462, demonstrating remarkable consistency and plate discipline. His senior year in 2019 saw him bat .405 with 13 doubles and 25 RBIs over 23 games. Lee was considered a top prospect for the 2019 MLB draft but withdrew his name from consideration the day before the draft, choosing instead to honor his commitment to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo to play college baseball for the Cal Poly Mustangs.
Path to Professional Baseball
Prior to beginning his college career, Lee spent the summer after high school playing in the West Coast League for the Corvallis Knights. He made an immediate impact, hitting .333 with three home runs, 35 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases over 43 games. His performance earned him recognition as the league top prospect, signaling his potential as a future professional player. This successful stint provided valuable experience against older competition and helped refine his skills before entering the collegiate ranks.
During his first semester at Cal Poly, Lee suffered a knee injury when he hyperextended it, requiring surgery. He missed the beginning of the 2020 season recovering and appeared in only two games before the college baseball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than being discouraged by this setback, Lee used the extended time to recover fully and prepare for his return to the field. The following summer, he played in the Northwoods League for the Willmar Stingers, continuing his development against summer collegiate competition.
Brooks Lee Career
Cal Poly Years (2020–2022)
In 2021, as a redshirt freshman, Lee returned to form and showcased his full potential. He played in 55 games and slashed .342/.411/.626 with ten home runs, 57 RBIs, and 27 doubles. His 27 doubles set a Cal Poly single-season record, highlighting his ability to hit for extra bases consistently. He committed only six errors over the course of the season, posting a .974 fielding percentage that demonstrated his defensive reliability at shortstop.
Lee outstanding performance earned him All-American honors from various media outlets. He was named the Big West Conference Co-Field Player of the Year and the Big West Conference Co-Freshman Field Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the best collegiate shortstop in the country. Following the season, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, where he batted .405/.432/.667 with six home runs over 21 games. He also earned a spot on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Entering the 2022 season, Lee was considered one of the top prospects for that year MLB draft. Over 58 games, he batted .357/.462/.664 with 15 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 25 doubles. He earned Big West Field Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season and won the Brooks Wallace Award as the nation top collegiate shortstop. His back-to-back conference player of the year awards and national recognition solidified his status as a premium draft prospect.
Minor League Development (2022–2024)
The Minnesota Twins selected Lee in the first round with the eighth overall selection of the 2022 MLB draft. He signed with the organization for a $5.6 million signing bonus, which reflected his high draft status and organizational investment in his future. He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Twins before being promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the High-A Midwest League after just four games. After 25 games with Cedar Rapids, he earned another promotion to the Wichita Wind Surge of the Double-A Texas League. Across his first three professional stops, Lee slashed .303/.388/.451 with five home runs and 15 RBIs over 31 combined games.
To open the 2023 season, Lee returned to Wichita to begin the year at Double-A. In early August, he received another promotion to the St. Paul Saints of the Triple-A International League, representing the final step before reaching the majors. Over 125 games between Wichita and St. Paul, Lee continued his offensive production, slashing .275/.347/.461 with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 39 doubles. His ability to hit for average and power while maintaining solid plate discipline positioned him as a near MLB-ready prospect for the 2024 season.
Minnesota Twins Era (2024–Present)
On July 3, 2024, the Twins selected Lee contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that night as the team starting shortstop against the Detroit Tigers. In his debut game, Lee recorded his first career MLB hit, a single off Keider Montero in the fourth inning, finishing the game 2-for-4 with an RBI. Three days later, on July 6, he hit his first MLB home run, a two-run shot against Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros. He spent the remainder of the season with Minnesota but missed playing time after being placed on the injured list with right biceps tendinitis. Over 50 games with the Twins in 2024, Lee hit .221 with three home runs and 27 RBIs.
Lee opened the 2025 season on the injured list with back tightness and a lumbar strain. After rehabilitating with the Fort Myers Miracle and Triple-A St. Paul, he was reinstated to the Twins active roster on April 13. He responded with a strong season, highlighted by his first career grand slam on August 17 against Chris Paddack of the Detroit Tigers. Lee played in 139 games for the Twins, hitting .236 with 16 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 15 doubles. During the 2026 season, the Twins began transitioning Lee to play third base, expanding his defensive versatility within the infield.
Playing Style and Strengths
Lee is recognized as a fundamentally sound hitter with exceptional hand-eye coordination and bat-to-ball skills. His approach at the plate combines patience with aggression, allowing him to work counts while being ready to drive pitches when he gets his pitch. He displays power to all fields and has shown the ability to hit for both average and extra-base hits throughout his career. Defensively, he has shown reliability at both shortstop and third base, with soft hands, good footwork, and a strong throwing arm. His baseball IQ and understanding of the game, shaped in part by his father coaching at the collegiate level, contribute to his ability to make adjustments and perform in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lee career has been marked by several significant milestones early in his professional journey. Winning the Brooks Wallace Award in 2022 established him as the top collegiate shortstop in the country, validating his development path through high school and college. Being selected eighth overall in the 2022 MLB draft represented the realization of his childhood dream to play professional baseball. His MLB debut on July 3, 2024, against the Detroit Tigers was a memorable moment as he collected his first career hit in his debut game. The grand slam he hit on August 17, 2025, against Chris Paddack represented one of his most dramatic offensive performances at the major league level.
Brooks Lee Career Statistics
Lee has compiled impressive statistics throughout his professional career across all levels. His performance in the minor leagues showcased his ability to hit for average and power while demonstrating the plate discipline expected of a top prospect. At the major league level, he has shown the ability to compete against the best players in the world while continuing to develop his game.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through June 26, 2026, Lee has appeared in 189 games with the Minnesota Twins across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He has accumulated a batting average of .235 with 33 home runs and 138 RBIs. His ability to drive in runs has been a consistent element of his offensive game throughout his professional career, translating his collegiate success to the professional level.
Minor League Highlights
Lee minor league career includes stops at the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Twins, Cedar Rapids Kernels (High-A), Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A), and St. Paul Saints (Triple-A). Across his minor league career, he has demonstrated the ability to hit for average, power, and drive in runs at each level. His 2023 season between Wichita and St. Paul saw him post a .275 average with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 39 doubles over 125 games.
Brooks Lee Family
Family Background
Lee comes from a distinguished baseball family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Larry Lee, serves as the head baseball coach at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This familial connection to the game provided Brooks with early exposure to baseball fundamentals, training methods, and the mental aspects of the game from a young age. His father coaching career at the collegiate level meant that Brooks grew up around baseball environments and understood the dedication required to succeed at high levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Lee was named after Brooks Robinson, the legendary Hall of Fame third baseman who played 23 seasons with the Baltimore Oriodes. This naming choice reflects his family appreciation for baseball excellence and their admiration for defensive prowess at the infield positions that Lee himself would eventually play. The connection to Robinson symbolizes the high standards and expectations set within his family regarding how the game should be played. Lee continues to reside in the baseball community, maintaining connections to both his California roots and his professional career in Minnesota.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant year of growth and resilience for Lee despite an injury-plagued start. Opening the season on the injured list with back tightness and a lumbar strain required patience and diligent rehabilitation work. After working his way back through the Fort Myers Miracle and St. Paul Saints, Lee was reinstated to the Twins active roster on April 13. His ability to overcome this early-season adversity and return to form demonstrated his mental toughness and commitment to his craft.
Throughout the season, Lee settled into a consistent role in the Twins lineup, appearing in 139 games. His offensive production showed steady improvement as he adjusted to major league pitching and refined his approach at the plate. The highlight of his season came on August 17 when he hit his first career grand slam against Chris Paddack and the Detroit Tigers, a moment that showcased his ability to come through in clutch situations. He finished the year with 16 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 15 doubles while hitting .236.
The 2025 season also saw Lee begin transitioning to third base defensively, a move that expanded his versatility and long-term value to the organization. This positional flexibility gives the Twins additional lineup construction options while maintaining Lee quality defense in the infield. Looking ahead, Lee appears positioned to be a foundational piece of the Twins infield for years to come, with his combination of youth, talent, and baseball pedigree making him one of the more intriguing young players in the American League.