Brooks Lee prepared to take next step as Twins shortstop after busy offseason

FORT MYERS, FLA. — Spring training is typically when major league players brag about being in the best shape of their lives after training all offseason, to the point where it’s almost a running joke because it’s become such a cliché.

Brooks Lee didn’t utter the cliché phrase during a nine-minute chat with reporters on one of the first days of camp, but other people are willing to bring it up on his behalf.

“He came in better shape,” Twins infield coach Ramon Borrego said. “You can see physically he looks good.”

New Twins manager Derek Shelton added: “Probably 15 people have said to me, ‘Man, Brooks looks great.’”

Lee, the 25-year-old shortstop, spent the offseason working on his speed. If he wanted to continue as the Twins’ everyday shortstop, he needed to improve defensively. During his exit meeting with former manager Rocco Baldelli at the end of last season, Baldelli stressed that Lee needed to increase his defensive range.

There were some metrics that painted Lee as one of the worst defensive shortstops in the majors last year. Sports Info Solutions rated Lee at negative-eight runs saved, docking him for his inability to track down balls hit to his left. StatCast was not as negative, but he still rated 23rd out of the 37 qualifying shortstops and one out below average.

“I’m a bigger [shortstop], so I have to be able to use what I can to get certain balls, because I make the play usually when it’s in my glove,” said the 6-1, 215-pound Lee. “I’m pretty accurate and I have good hands, but it’s just those ones that I’m not getting to, and I feel like I should, and the numbers say I should.”

To add agility, Lee worked on his straight-line speed, pushing off his feet differently and running downhill. He also did different drills in the weight room.

“I’m always trying to improve my game at every level, every offseason,” Lee said. “I feel like I did that. I think that’s the biggest jump I’ve made in my career, what I just did.”

Borrego watched Orlando Arcia, who is in spring training as a non-roster invitee, sharing some pointers with Lee on the first days of camp. Borrego thinks that veteran influence will be beneficial.

Lee is in a precarious position on the Twins roster. He’s the guy tasked with replacing Carlos Correa, who had some big ups and downs during his three-year tenure with the team. The Twins also have a shortstop prospect, Kaelen Culpepper, who is close to the cusp of the big leagues.

It was only two years ago when the switch-hitting Lee was the hotshot prospect in spring training, originally the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 amateur draft. But he has yet to prove himself in the big leagues offensively.

“I think the hits will come,” Lee said. “I have to stick to my approach and be OK with taking walks and maybe not trying to force hits when you are not doing well. That’s something that’s easy to say, but I’ve been trying to really force it in my head for a while now.”

New Twins hitting coach Keith Beauregard traveled to Southern California to visit with Lee and his dad during the offseason, underscoring how important this season is for Lee.