Brooks Lee might not be the Minnesota Twins' top hitter, but this 25-year-old shortstop is starting to turn some heads. After a challenging 2025 season, where he found himself in the lower tier of several hitting metrics, Lee is beginning to show signs of promise. Despite the struggles, Twins fans have held onto hope that Lee would find his groove at the plate, and it looks like that might be happening sooner than expected.
While he may not be posting superstar numbers like his double-play partner Luke Keaschall, Lee's spring training performance is enough to get fans excited about his potential contribution to the lineup in 2026.
In 16 spring games, Lee is batting .311 with five extra-base hits, including two homers, two doubles, and a triple, along with two stolen bases. Over his last nine games, he's been particularly impressive, hitting 10-for-28 (.357). On Friday, he went 2-for-2 with a walk, reaching base twice against Max Scherzer, who otherwise kept the Twins in check during his scoreless outing.
Lee's recent performance suggests he's finding his rhythm, even if it's been somewhat under the radar. With much of the focus on the outfielders' hot bats and hopes pinned on Royce Lewis staying healthy, Lee's contributions could be the unexpected spark the Twins need. His at-bats are becoming must-watch moments, as he might just provide the lineup with a much-needed boost.
Currently, Baseball-Reference projects Lee to post a .674 OPS this season, a 20-point improvement from 2025. However, given his spring form, surpassing a .720 OPS doesn't seem out of reach.
We're eagerly anticipating the day when Lee sheds the label of a below-average hitter. Could 2026 be the year he truly breaks out?
Twins fans are certainly hoping so.