Evan Lee

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #23 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Lee was selected as a draft-eligible sophomore in the 15th round in 2018. He impressed right away as mainly a reliever in the short-season New York-Penn League and began his work as a starter in 2021. He made his MLB debut in June 2022, his first stint above Double-A. Lee made three appearances out of the bullpen before straining the flexor tendon in his left elbow. He returned in late August and eased back into action. The Nationals needed space on the 40-man roster and outrighted Lee to Triple-A following the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Lee's fastball has gotten into the mid 90s, but he more typically sits in the 90-91 mph range, with solid spin and carry. His curveball has plus potential and is his most consistent swing-and-miss offering. His low-to-mid-80s changeup had solid results in 2022, but it looks more like a below-average pitch moving forward, while Lee worked to add a hard cutter/slider breaking pitch to his arsenal in the upper 80s that needs more work as well. Lee has fringe-average control.
  
  The Future: The Nationals still believe that Lee could be a starter once he fully recovers from the elbow injury. However, it is more likely that he becomes a bulk-inning reliever. He had never pitched at Triple-A prior to making his MLB debut. Despite the injury setback, the organization still views him as a reliable lefty option.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 45 Control: 45
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #21 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: A 15th-round pick out of Arkansas as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2018, Lee has already wildly exceeded his draft position with his performance in the Nationals’ system. He excelled in the New York-Penn League in 2019, mostly as a reliever, putting up 2.65 ERA in 34 innings, and followed that up as a starter by striking out 104 batters in 77 innings in High-A in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Lee gets good extension on a fastball that primarily sat 91-93 mph last season but has touched the mid 90s in the past. He also features a potential plus curveball with an 11-to-5 shape that is a real put-away pitch at times, a slider that has cutter-type action and a changeup that subtracts nearly 10 mph off his fastball velocity. Of the four, evaluators are least enthused with the changeup at present.
  
  The Future: Lee began his time in the system in the bullpen, and perhaps that’s where he ends up if his fastball and curveball end up being his only two better-than-average pitches. He excelled as a starter in 2021, however, likely earning himself the chance to continue in that role for now.
  

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Lee was selected as a draft-eligible sophomore in the 15th round in 2018. He impressed right away as mainly a reliever in the short-season New York-Penn League and began his work as a starter in 2021. He made his MLB debut in June 2022, his first stint above Double-A. Lee made three appearances out of the bullpen before straining the flexor tendon in his left elbow. He returned in late August and eased back into action. The Nationals needed space on the 40-man roster and outrighted Lee to Triple-A following the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Lee's fastball has gotten into the mid 90s, but he more typically sits in the 90-91 mph range, with solid spin and carry. His curveball has plus potential and is his most consistent swing-and-miss offering. His low-to-mid-80s changeup had solid results in 2022, but it looks more like a below-average pitch moving forward, while Lee worked to add a hard cutter/slider breaking pitch to his arsenal in the upper 80s that needs more work as well. Lee has fringe-average control.
  
  The Future: The Nationals still believe that Lee could be a starter once he fully recovers from the elbow injury. However, it is more likely that he becomes a bulk-inning reliever. He had never pitched at Triple-A prior to making his MLB debut. Despite the injury setback, the organization still views him as a reliable lefty option.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 45 Control: 45
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Lee was selected as a draft-eligible sophomore in the 15th round in 2018. He impressed right away as mainly a reliever in the short-season New York-Penn League and began his work as a starter in 2021. He made his MLB debut in June 2022, his first stint above Double-A. Lee made three appearances out of the bullpen before straining the flexor tendon in his left elbow. He returned in late August and eased back into action. The Nationals needed space on the 40-man roster and outrighted Lee to Triple-A following the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Lee's fastball has gotten into the mid 90s, but he more typically sits in the 90-91 mph range, with solid spin and carry. His curveball has plus potential and is his most consistent swing-and-miss offering. His low-to-mid-80s changeup had solid results in 2022, but it looks more like a below-average pitch moving forward, while Lee worked to add a hard cutter/slider breaking pitch to his arsenal in the upper 80s that needs more work as well. Lee has fringe-average control.
  
  The Future: The Nationals still believe that Lee could be a starter once he fully recovers from the elbow injury. However, it is more likely that he becomes a bulk-inning reliever. He had never pitched at Triple-A prior to making his MLB debut. Despite the injury setback, the organization still views him as a reliable lefty option.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 45 Control: 45
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: A 15th-round pick out of Arkansas as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2018, Lee has already wildly exceeded his draft position with his performance in the Nationals&#39 system. He excelled in the New York-Penn League in 2019, mostly as a reliever, putting up 2.65 ERA in 34 innings, and followed that up as a starter by striking out 104 batters in 77 innings in High-A in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Lee gets good extension on a fastball that primarily sat 91-93 mph last season but has touched the mid 90s in the past. He also features a potential plus curveball with an 11-to-5 shape that is a real put-away pitch at times, a slider that has cutter-type action and a changeup that subtracts nearly 10 mph off his fastball velocity. Of the four, evaluators are least enthused with the changeup at present.
  
  The Future: Lee began his time in the system in the bullpen, and perhaps that&#39s where he ends up if his fastball and curveball end up being his only two better-than-average pitches. He excelled as a starter in 2021, however, likely earning himself the chance to continue in that role for now.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: A 15th-round pick out of Arkansas as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2018, Lee has already wildly exceeded his draft position with his performance in the Nationals’ system. He excelled in the New York-Penn League in 2019, mostly as a reliever, putting up 2.65 ERA in 34 innings, and followed that up as a starter by striking out 104 batters in 77 innings in High-A in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Lee gets good extension on a fastball that primarily sat 91-93 mph last season but has touched the mid 90s in the past. He also features a potential plus curveball with an 11-to-5 shape that is a real put-away pitch at times, a slider that has cutter-type action and a changeup that subtracts nearly 10 mph off his fastball velocity. Of the four, evaluators are least enthused with the changeup at present.
  
  The Future: Lee began his time in the system in the bullpen, and perhaps that’s where he ends up if his fastball and curveball end up being his only two better-than-average pitches. He excelled as a starter in 2021, however, likely earning himself the chance to continue in that role for now.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Scouts were split on Lee as a hitter or as a pitcher when he was a draft-eligible sophomore out of Arkansas in 2018. Washington opted to develop Lee on the mound and he's rewarding their decision. Lee is now touching the mid-90s with his fastball and uses his curveball as a putaway pitch.