It’s safe to say that switch-hitter Brooks Lee has disappointed thus far in his young career. Just two years ago, MLB Pipeline ranked the young infielder No. 18 among MLB prospects. In 189 games with the Twins across the last two seasons, Lee has posted -1.0 bWAR and a lowly .232/.279/.357 (75 OPS+) slash line with 19 homers and 91 RBI, and has struggled defensively.

Now, it’s important to remember that Lee is still very young, turning 25 years old this week. There are also reasons to believe he will turn his career around; the shortstop doesn’t strike out much, having posted a 17.5% strikeout rate (74th percentile) last season, and he had a solid 28.7% squared-up rate (28.7%) in 2025 as well.

However, despite his ability to limit strikeouts and make contact, Lee’s 2025 baseball savant page is riddled with blue. He doesn’t walk much at all (5.9% walk rate), frequently makes weak contact (88.6 mph average exit velocity) and struggles defensively (-4 Outs Above Average). He’s a below-average runner, too.

Defensively, Lee is likely more suited to be a full-time second baseman than a shortstop. He hasn’t been great at second, either, but it’d be easier for him to improve at the middle infield position located next to first base.

JJ Cooper brought national attention to Lee’s defensive struggles on a recent episode of Baseball America’s Prospect Podcast.

Baseball America gives harsh but correct assessment of Twins shortstop Brooks Lee

“The Minnesota Twins do not have a shortstop right now,” Cooper said. “And I do mean, Brooks Lee is not a shortstop. I’m sorry, but there is no logical path where you say Brooks Lee is going to be defensively what you want to get from an MLB shortstop.”

Lee has the tools to improve offensively, but it’s doubtful his defense at shortstop will ameliorate, which is likely a big reason Minnesota signed strong defensive shortstop Orlando Arcia to a minor league deal this offseason. But while Arcia could be a solid shortstop option for Minnesota in 2026, he shouldn’t be an everyday starter or in Minnesota’s long-term plans.

Kaelen Culpepper could be the Twins’ shortstop of the future. Cooper said he doesn’t think Culpepper is an MLB-caliber shortstop, but the 2024 first-round pick likely has a better shot than Lee at succeeding at the position. MLB Pipeline notes Culpepper’s lack of range and suggests he’ll likely play third and second base in the majors. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Copper noted Minnesota’s 2025 first-round pick, Marek Houston, is a great defensive shortstop. However, Cooper said, “We don’t know how much [Houston is] going to hit.” Last season, Houston dominated at the plate in 12 games for Low-A Fort Myers, slashing .370/.424/.444 in 59 plate appearances, but struggled in 12 games with High-A Cedar Rapids, hitting .152/.220/.239 in 51 plate appearances.

Even with Lee’s struggles last season, he deserves patience from Twins fans regarding his bat. But as far as his shortstop defense goes, the former top-20 prospect is highly unlikely to improve. Therefore, Culpepper or Houston will likely be Minnesota’s starting shortstop sometime in the near future.