The Twins have announced the promotion of prospect Brooks Lee to the major league roster. This move comes as infielder Royce Lewis is placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right adductor strain, creating an active roster spot for Lee. To accommodate Lee on the 40-man roster, right-hander Brock Stewart has been transferred to the 60-day injured list. The news of Lee’s promotion was first reported by Declan Goff and Darren Wolfson of SKOR North on X. Derek Falvey, the Twins’ president of baseball operations, confirmed that Lewis has a Grade 2 strain and will be out until at least the All-Star break, per Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on X.
Lee, 23, was drafted eighth overall in 2022 and signed with an overslot bonus of $5.675 million. He has since excelled in the minors, starting with an impressive performance in 31 games in 2022 across the Complex League, High-A, and Double-A, where he posted a .303/.388/.451 line, walking 11.5% of the time and striking out just 14.4% of the time.
In 2023, Lee continued to impress at Double-A, hitting 11 home runs with a .292/.365/.476 line over 87 games, before being promoted to Triple-A. While his numbers dipped slightly at the higher level, his overall performance remained strong.
This year, after a lower back strain delayed his season debut until May 20, Lee played rehab games at the Complex League and Single-A before moving to Triple-A. In just 20 games there, he hit seven home runs and posted a .329/.394/.635 line, translating to a 159 wRC+.
Lee’s consistent offensive performance has earned him high rankings among top prospects. Baseball America ranks him at #28, FanGraphs at #49, and MLB Pipeline at #13. ESPN placed him 27th in their May update, while Keith Law of The Athletic ranked him 31st coming into the year.
Although primarily a shortstop, Lee’s future position may vary. With Carlos Correa firmly at shortstop for the Twins, Lee might move to second or third base, where his strong arm could be an asset.
The Twins’ infield situation has evolved throughout the season. Injuries and performance issues have reduced competition for infield spots. With Lewis, Carlos Santana, Alex Kirilloff, Edouard Julien, José Miranda, Willi Castro, Kyle Farmer, and Austin Martin in the mix, the Twins have had to make adjustments. Julien was optioned to Triple-A after struggling, Kirilloff is on the injured list, and Farmer has primarily been a defensive player. Castro and Martin have been versatile, playing both infield and outfield positions.
Recently, the team has settled on Santana at first base, Correa at shortstop, and a rotation of Lewis and Miranda at third base and designated hitter, with Castro, Farmer, and Martin sharing second base duties.
With Lewis heading to the injured list, Lee now has an opportunity to prove himself at the major league level. Lewis, a talented but frequently injured player, has a .303/.361/.584 line since his promotion in May 2022 but has been limited to 94 big league games due to various injuries. He left last night’s game with groin tightness, and Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported that Lewis was scheduled for an MRI.
It remains to be seen how long Lee’s stint in the majors will last and how he will be used. The Twins’ infield logjam is likely to persist, with only Santana and Farmer set for free agency after this season. Farmer has a mutual option, but such options are rarely exercised by both parties.
For now, Lee will aim to solidify his role in the Twins’ infield and help the team in their playoff pursuit. The Twins currently hold a 48-37 record and a Wild Card spot in the American League. If Lee remains in the majors, he will be eligible for arbitration after the 2027 season and free agency after the 2030 season, though these timelines could change with future optional assignments.
As for Stewart, his transfer to the 60-day IL was procedural, as he has already been on the IL for 60 days due to right shoulder tendinitis. He is scheduled for bullpen sessions soon but will need additional time to ramp up, per Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune on X
Leave a Reply