Zach Lee

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #15 prospect in 2016
  Lee had high expectations placed upon him when the Dodgers lured him away from playing quarterback and pitching at Louisiana State. The early returns were good, but his stuff has backed up, especially in a rough 2014 season where his ERA ballooned to 5.38 at Triple-A Albuquerque. Repeating the Pacific Coast League in the Dodgers' new Oklahoma City affiliate, Lee rebounded by cutting his ERA to 2.70 and making his major league debut in July. Lee no longer projects as a rotation anchor, with his stuff fringy to average across the board. He still is an excellent athlete who throws strikes, and only one PCL pitcher with 100 innings in 2015 walked fewer than the 1.5 batters per nine innings that Lee did. He has shown much-improved feel for pitching, which could allow him to stick around as a back-end starter. With a crossfire delivery, Lee throws his fastball at 88-92 mph and touches 94. He lacks an out pitch, so he uses a cutter/slider to try to stay off barrels. He commands his cutter to both sides of the plate. He manipulates the pitch to get outside the ball a little more so it moves like a slider with wider break. He sprinkles in a changeup and a slow, early-count curveball to change eye levels, but both are fringy pitches.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #13 prospect in 2015
  It was a big deal when the Dodgers convinced Lee to give up the chance to play quarterback and pitch for Louisiana State. He had lost some luster before reaching Triple-A, but he fell flat in his first exposure to the level. Albuquerque is unforgiving for pitchers, but Lee's strikeout rate also dissolved, and scouts backed up the stats with reports that his stuff wasn't sharp. His fastball sits 88-92 mph at hits 94, and the sink helps him gets groundballs. Lee had trouble missing barrels though because his secondary stuff regressed. Lee has never had a true wipeout pitch, but his slider and changeup both were fringy in 2014, occasionally flashing a tick better, with an early-count curveball mixed in. He throws strikes but his pitchability approach will only work against major league hitters if his stuff returns to average or better. If it does, he has a chance to rebound as a back-end starter, but he's headed back for another season in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #4 prospect in 2014
  Lee turned down the opportunity to play quarterback and pitch at Louisiana State when he signed a heavily backloaded, two-sport deal with the Dodgers for $5.25 million as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 draft. He has proven to be a steady prospect who has moved relatively quickly through the system. Lee's stuff is solid across the board and plays up because of the improvements he's made over the last year with his command and approach. His fastball sits at 88-92 mph with good life and tops out at 95. He has the ability to sink the ball and get grounders at an above-average clip. Lee's fastball command improved, as he works down in the zone and pitches to both sides of the plate. His four-pitch mix includes an 81-85 mph slider and a low-80s changeup--both are average pitches--and a 72-75 mph curveball he'll use early in the count. He doesn't have a knockout secondary weapon, but he learned how to read swings better and attack hitters based on their strengths and weaknesses. He'll likely always rely more on his feel and command rather than being a prolific strikeout pitcher. When the Dodgers drafted Lee he appeared to have frontline starter potential, but his realistic upside now looks like more of a solid No. 3. He could open 2014 in Triple-A, but he should make his major league debut during the season.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #5 prospect in 2013
  Considered one of the toughest players to sign out of the 2010 draft, Lee had committed to play quarterback and pitch at Louisiana State. But the Dodgers selected him 25th overall and signed him to a heavily backloaded two-sport deal worth $5.25 million, the largest draft bonus in franchise history. He has advanced rapidly, reaching Double-A at age 20 last year and going 3-1, 2.34 in August as the second-youngest player in the Southern League. Lee doesn't have a truly dominant pitch, but his ability to command four solid offerings sets him apart from his peers. He has a physical frame and throws his fastball from 90-95 mph, with the projection to add more velocity. He can give his heater sinking or cutting action. Lee's curveball and slider come in with similar 1-to-7 break. His slider has tighter rotation and rates slightly higher than his curve, which is softer and has more depth. He has feel for using his changeup, which could become a plus pitch. He shored up his direction to home plate last season, helping him work both sides of the plate. He's ahead of his years in terms of pitchability and mound presence. Lee's lack of a knockout pitch keeps him from having true frontline potential, but he's a fairly safe bet to become a quality No. 3 starter. He could be ready to pitch in the majors in 2013, though Los Angeles won't rush him. He's ticketed for a return to Chattanooga.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #1 prospect in 2012
  When Los Angeles drafted Lee with the 28th overall selection in 2010, the pick was met with plenty of skepticism. Not because of any lack of ability on his part, but rather because it was suspected the budget-conscious Dodgers intended to save money by not signing him. In addition to his prowess on the mound, Lee also was a highly rated quarterback recruit, throwing for 2,565 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior at McKinney (Texas) High, where his top wide receiver was current Braves prospect Matt Lipka. Lee intended to play both sports for Louisiana State, and he spent the summer of 2010 taking classes at LSU and working out with the football team. Still, Los Angeles believed it could get a deal done. The Dodgers shocked the industry at the Aug. 16 deadline by signing him for $5.25 million, the largest draft bonus in franchise history. They spread the bonus over five years in a heavily backloaded deal that paid him less up front than MLB's slot value for the No. 28 pick ($1,134,000). Lee missed three weeks last May due to elbow tightness that proved to be nothing major, and that was his only real speed bump in an otherwise solid pro debut. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in 19 of his 24 starts at low Class A Great Lakes. Lee has a deep arsenal and the pitchability to get the most out of it. His fastball generally ranges from 89-93 mph, but he can reach back for more when he needs it, touching as high as 98. He commands his fastball to both sides of the plate, and he also has an advanced feel for manipulating it. He can make his fastball sink or turn it into a cutter has developed into a true weapon. Lee featured a hard curveball that tended to get slurvy in high school, but he worked on developing a curve and slider as separate offerings in 2011. He made huge strides with the slider by the end of the season, allowing him to get in on the hands of lefthanders, whom he held to a .229/.291/.341 line. The curve still shows promising spin and depth at 79-83 mph when it's on, but it continues to come and go. He also features an 81-84 mph changeup that has a chance to be an average pitch down the road. Lee earns high marks for his poise on the mound and the leadership he showed on Great Lakes' staff, a trait owing to his quarterbacking days. He does a good job of controlling games and doesn't get frustrated when something doesn't go his way. His big, strong frame elicits physical comparisons to Chris Carpenter. His delivery has some crossfire to it, though it also gives him deception. Los Angeles worked on improving his direction to the plate in instructional league, but he doesn't require any major mechanical changes. The Dodgers considered promoting Lee to high Class A Rancho Cucamonga or even Double-A Chattanooga toward the end of 2011 but elected to let him finish out the year in Great Lakes. He'll likely begin 2012 in high Class A, but he has the polish and the stuff to handle a more aggressive timetable than the usual high school draft pick. Los Angeles believes he'll be a frontline starter and he could arrive in the majors by the end of 2013.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 2011
  A highly rated quarterback recruit headed to Louisiana State, Lee was considered the 2010 draft's most unsignable player. When the Dodgers took him 28th overall, there was speculation they did so to save money by not signing him. Lee went to LSU's campus to take summer classes and participate in football workouts before Los Angeles shocked the industry by signing him at the Aug. 16 deadline for $5.25 million, the largest draft bonus in franchise history. Lee has a chance to have three plus pitches. His lively fastball sits in the low 90s and was hitting 95 mph during instructional league. He also attacks hitters with a power curveball that gets slurvy at times but has above-average potential, and he has a changeup that's advanced for his age. Despite his two-sport background, Lee is very polished for a high school pitcher. He has a smooth delivery with no real flaws, and he's beyond his years in terms of command and pitchability. Lee has the makings of a true frontline starter. One of the Dodgers' selling points in getting him to sign was their recent success in developing young pitchers, and he could move quickly for a high school player. He'll make his pro debut at low Class A Great Lakes.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #15 prospect in 2013
  Selected 10 rounds ahead of Pederson in the Dodgers? 2010 draft, Lee hasn?t made the same eye-opening improvements as the outfielder, though he continues to draw positive reviews for his pitchability, control and aggressiveness with his fastball. He finished 10th in the SL ERA race at 3.22 while placing third with 131 strikeouts and fourth with a 1.17 WHIP, but with no outstanding pitch, scouts see Lee as a potential No. 4 starter on a first-division team. A four-pitch mix and willingness to work backwards in certain situations help to make Lee a pitcher?s pitcher. He tops out at 94 mph but more generally works in the average velocity range for a righthanded starter, sitting 88-92 and locating with a smooth, easy-to-repeat delivery. Scouts project Lee?s mid-80s slider and low-80s changeup to future average grades, with the former showing more potential with power and two-plane break. He also throws a fringy slow curveball for a different look. ?He?s got a chance to be something special,? Barkett said. ?He?s fun to watch because he mixes his pitches well and tries to outthink the hitter.?
• 
  Ranked Southern League #13 prospect in 2012
  Lee bypassed an opportunity to play quarterback and pitch at Louisiana State, choosing instead to sign with the Dodgers for $5 million as the 28th overall pick in 2010. The second-youngest player in the SL after he arrived in at the end of June, he displays the promise that captured the imagination of amateur scouts but his velocity hasn't increased as expected. Lee's fastball sits at 89-92 mph, a tick below how hard he threw in high school, though it plays up because he commands it to both sides of the plate. His curveball, slider and changeup all shows signs of becoming average or better offerings. He has a cerebral side to his game that is uncommon in 20-year olds. "This is a kid that if you challenge him or he feels challenged, like he did here, he'll live up to expectations," Chattanooga manager Carlos Subero said.
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  Ranked California League #5 prospect in 2012
  His numbers might not jump off the page or seem worthy of the $5 million bonus he received in 2010, but Lee boasts a deep repertoire and plenty of polish for his age. He fared well as the youngest pitcher to make at least 10 starts in the Cal League this year, even without a truly dominant pitch. Lee hits his spots well, starting with his fastball that jumps on hitters at 89-92 mph and can reach 94. He can give his heater some cutting action and mix in a sinking two-seamer. Both his curveball and slider rate about average, with his slider a tighter pitch and operating at 81-84 mph. He also features a sinking changeup at 82-83 mph. A highly rated quarterback recruit who was attending football practice at Louisiana State when he signed, Lee earns high marks for how he competes and attacks hitters. He has averaged just 2.5 walks per nine innings and posted a 3-1 K-BB ratio in two years as a pro.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #7 prospect in 2011
  The Dodgers paid Lee $5.25 million last August to steer him away from playing quarterback at Louisiana State. In return, they got a teenager who exuded polish while making his pro debut in the MWL. He surrendered two earned runs or less in 19 of his 24 starts, with his only hiccup coming when he missed three weeks in May with elbow tightness. While Lee doesn't dazzle radar guns, he gets good sink on an 88-93 mph fastball and locates it to both sides of the plate. His cutter and changeup will be plus pitches once he makes them more consistent, and he also throws a curveball. League observers praised his mound presence and competitiveness. "He reminds me a little of Josh Beckett without quite the same power," said Lansing manager Mike Redmond, who caught Beckett with the Marlins. "The stuff is going to be there as he gets stronger."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #95 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #62 prospect in 2012
• Ranked Baseball America's #89 prospect in 2011

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Considered the 2010 draft's most unsignable player, Lee had committed to play quarterback and pitch at Louisiana State. But the Dodgers selected him 25th overall and signed him to a heavily backloaded two-sport deal worth $5.25 million, the largest draft bonus in franchise history. He has advanced rapidly, reaching Double-A at age 20. Scouting Report: Lee doesn't have a truly dominant pitch, but his ability to command four solid offerings sets him apart from his peers. He has a physical frame and throws his fastball from 90-95 mph, with the projection to add more velocity. He can give his heater fastball sinking or cutting action. Lee's curveball and slider come in with similar 1-to-7 break. His slider has tighter rotation and rates slightly higher than his curve, which is softer and has more depth. He has feel for using his changeup, which could become a plus pitch. He shored up his direction to home plate last season, helping him work both sides of the plate. He's ahead of his years in terms of pitchability and mound presence. The Future: Lee's lack of a knockout pitch keeps him from having true frontline potential, but he's a fairly safe bet to become a quality No. 3 starter. He could be ready to pitch in the majors in 2013, though Los Angeles won't rush him. He's ticketed for a return to Chattanooga.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: When Los Angeles drafted Lee with the 28th overall selection in 2010, the pick was met with plenty of skepticism. Not because of any lack of ability on Lee's part, but rather because it was suspected the budget-conscious Dodgers intended to save money by not signing him. In addition to his prowess on the mound, he also was a highly rated quarterback recruit, throwing for 2,565 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior at McKinney (Texas) High, where his top wide receiver was current Braves prospect Matt Lipka. Lee intended to play both sports for Louisiana State, and he spent the summer of 2010 taking classes at LSU and working out with the football team. Still, Los Angeles believed it could get a deal done. The Dodgers shocked the industry at the Aug. 16 deadline by signing Lee for $5.25 million, the largest draft bonus in franchise history. Because of Lee's two-sport background, they spread the bonus over five years in a heavily backloaded deal that paid him less up front than MLB's slot value for the No. 28 pick ($1.134 million). Lee missed three weeks last May with elbow tightness that proved to be nothing major, and that was his only real speed bump in an otherwise solid pro debut. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in 19 of his 24 starts at low Class A Great Lakes. Scouting Report: Lee has a deep arsenal and the pitchability to get the most out of it. His fastball generally ranges from 89-93 mph, but he can reach back for more when he needs it, touching as high as 98. He's a strike-thrower who commands his fastball to both sides of the plate. He also has an advanced feel for manipulating the ball to make it do what he wants against certain hitters. He can make his fastball sink, or turn it into a cutter that developed into a true weapon. Lee featured a hard curveball that tended to get slurvy in high school, but he worked on developing both a curve and slider as separate offerings in 2011. He made huge strides with the slider by the end of the season, allowing him to get in on the hands of lefthanders, who he held to a .229/.291/.341 line. The curve still shows promising spin and depth at 79-83 mph when it's on, but it continues to come and go. He also features an 81-84 mph changeup that has a chance to be an average pitch down the road. Lee earns high marks for his poise and the leadership he showed on Great Lakes' staff, a trait owing to his quarterbacking days. He does a good job of controlling games and doesn't get frustrated when something doesn't go his way. His big, strong frame elicits physical comparisons to Chris Carpenter. His delivery has some crossfire to it, though it also gives him deception. Los Angeles worked on improving his direction to the plate in instructional league, but he doesn't require any major mechanical changes. The Future: The Dodgers considered promoting Lee to high Class A Rancho Cucamonga or even Double-A Chattanooga toward the end of last season but elected to let him finish out the year in Great Lakes. He'll likely begin 2012 in high Class A, but he has the polish and the stuff to handle a more aggressive timetable than the usual high school draft pick. Los Angeles believes he'll be a frontline starter and he could arrive in the majors by the end of 2013.