MLB Draft
MLB Pipeline Mocks SS Brooks Lee to Pirates
With just about two months to go until the 2022 MLB draft, it’s officially mock draft season. MLB Pipeline released their latest mock and they have the Pirates selecting Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee with the fourth overall pick.
The 21-year-old Lee is ranked the fifth-best draft prospect by Pipeline as well as the top college player available. Lee rates as a plus-hitter with above-average power and a strong arm.
The selection of a college bat would align with what Ben Cherington has done in his first two draft as the Pirates general manager with the selections of Nick Gonzales (2020, 7th overall) and Henry Davis (2021, 1st overall), and would give the Bucs another highly-regarded position player prospect.
The switch-hitting Lee has been mashing the ball so far this season. In 48 games, he’s posted a triple-slash of .374/.483/.653 with 21 doubles, 10 homers and 42 runs driven in. His strong bat-to-ball skills is on full display as he’s only struck out 21 times in 236 plate appearances, and he’s shown a keen eye drawing 42 walks.
Last summer in the Cape Cod League, Lee posted an impressive 1.099 OPS with six homers in 21 games.
Pipeline has outfielder Druw Jones going first to the Orioles, outfielder Elijah Green going second to Arizona and shortstop Jackson Holliday going third overall to Texas. This trio consists of all prep players and the top of the 2022 draft is considered to be prep-heavy. Pipeline notes that Lee is also in play to go prior to the Pirates selection at four.