McKinstry had a slow start, going 14 games with a .209/.261/.326 line, one home run, and five RBIs, prompting the roster shake-up and the arrival of the Tigers’ No. 6 prospect.
Lee, ranked No. 6 in Detroit’s system by MLB Pipeline, joined the Tigers after being signed by the Phillies as an 18-year-old from Taiwan in 2021 and later traded to Detroit for pitcher Michael Lorenzen at the Trade Deadline.
He blossomed in the minors, breaking out in 2024 at Double-A with a .298/.363/.488 slash line, 12 homers and 16 stolen bases. In 2025, at Triple-A, he hit .243/.342/.406 with 14 homers and 22 stolen bases, showing a blend of power and speed.
Lee’s game features a strong 90th-percentile exit velocity and above-average speed, though a 44.7% groundball rate has limited his BABIP. His scouting profile suggests he could hit for a solid average with notable pop in the big leagues if given regular at-bats.
Defensively, Lee has moved from shortstop with the Phillies to second and third base with Detroit, leveraging his athleticism and an average throwing arm. With left-handed starters on the docket, Detroit may use him at third base and potentially platoon with Colt Keith, as the Tigers navigate McKinstry’s absence and ongoing injury concerns.
