rewrite this title After injury, Twins former first-round pick is making an impact

The eighth overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft saw action in 50 games last season, posting just a .221/.265/.320 slash line in 172 at-bats. However, he has started the 2025 campaign red-hot after returning from back issues that caused him to sit out the final stretch of spring training and the start of the season.

Once he was healthy, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said there was little hesitation in getting Lee back into the batting order.

“We had a need, I would say, because we had a few things going on. We had some health things going on, and we had at-bats and a place on the field to put him and let him go and play,” Baldelli said. “I do think it’s important that Brooks as a young player, is playing. He needs to be out there and playing and continuing to grow and develop as a player.”

Baldelli also said he has seen growth from Lee after he received some MLB experience last season.

“I think he was ready. I think he’s ready to show everyone what he can do,” Baldelli said. “I think he really is at that point where he wants to be able to play and perform and grab a spot on the team and in the lineup and show that he not only belongs here, but that he’s a damn good player. He wants to show it, so I think that’s what we’re getting from him right now.

“He’s a reliable young player on the field. He’s pretty fundamentally sound, wherever you put him. He slows the game down pretty good, and is starting to have some good at-bats. He looks good.”

Entering Saturday with a 10-16 mark, the Twins are looking for any kind of spark to get back into the American League Central race. If Lee can continue to grow in his second MLB season, part of the boost that the dormant Twins are desperately seeking could be within the 24-year-old’s bat.