Chris Lee

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #10 prospect in 2018
  Given how the Orioles shuttle 40-man roster pitchers between the minors and the majors, it's a wonder that Lee has been on the 40-man for two seasons without a big league appearance. Added to the Orioles' 40-man roster after an impressive 2015 season that followed a trade for international bonus pool money from the Astros, Lee pitched just 51.1 innings in 2016 due to a lat strain in his left shoulder. He was challenged with an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk in 2017, where some of his best outings came later in the season as a piggyback starter. Lee works from a fluid, athletic lefthanded delivery. He features a 91-95 mph fastball that sinks, a changeup with plus potential and a developing slider, though the pitch is currently below-average. Lee's secondary pitches, especially his slider, need to be more consistent in order to be swing-and-miss threats, though he's effective against lefthanders, and scouts believe his stuff would tick up in the bullpen. For now, the Orioles' focus is on getting Lee as many innings as possible, and they're showing uncharacteristic patience with a young talent who at worst can be a late-inning relief arm if he doesn't reach his No. 4 starter ceiling. Lee will be in the mix for a major league role in spring training, but a return to Norfolk is more likely in 2018.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #10 prospect in 2017
  The Orioles acquired Lee from the Astros in May 2015 for two international bonus slots worth $655,800. Lee finished 2015 at Double-A Bowie and joined the 40-man roster after the season. He began 5-0, 2.30 in 2016 but didn't pitch after May 23. He went on the disabled list with a lat strain, but when the Orioles shifted him to the 60-day DL in September, they announced he had a shoulder strain. He was shut down for the fall after a visit to Dr. James Andrews. Lee pitches off an above-average fastball, with a sinking fastball that generates ground balls and sits 89-92 mph but jumps into the mid-90s. His slider flashes plus and gets swings and misses from lefties, who he held to a .155 average. He showed a real feel for his changeup at his best, and his changeup is ahead of his slider in terms of consistency. He would get out of his delivery at times, harming his command. Loss of command also seemed to limit Lee's putaway capability and his strikeout rate plummeted. He needs to add some strength for future durability. Had he not gotten hurt, Lee probably would have been called to the majors at some point. The Orioles expect him to be ready for spring training. If healthy, he could start 2017 at Triple-A Norfolk and find his way to Baltimore during the season. His ceiling is back-end starter.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2016
  The Orioles are excited about Lee, whom they acquired from the Astros in May 2015 for two international bonus slots worth $655,800. Houston selected him in the fourth round of the 2011 draft and signed him for $215,000. He never pitched above low Class A in the Astros system, but he advanced quickly to Double-A Bowie with Baltimore and joined the 40-man roster in November. Lee pitched more effectively once he left Houston's tandem-starter system, and his velocity increased in 2015. He pitched at 88-91 mph at high Class A Frederick and then sat 91-94 at Bowie. One scout said he saw Lee hold velocity deep into a game in which he touched 96 mph several times in the sixth inning. He throws a hard, tight slider that sometimes touches BOWIE BAYSOX the high 80s and a changeup that some feel is his best secondary pitch to go to for swings and misses. Lee continues to improve his command and control, which was poor early in his career. At Bowie, pitching coach Alan Mills challenged Lee to go after hitters and pitch inside more. He has a solid, maintenance-free delivery that is repeatable and also has helped him improve his control. Lee probably will begin 2016 in the Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk rotation and has a ceiling as a back-end starter.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #22 prospect in 2014
  When Lee joined the Astros as a fourth-rounder in 2011, he was a hard-thrower with no real idea of the strike zone. After missing much of the 2012 season as he dealt with complications after having his wisdom teeth removed, Lee developed into a much more refined, though still erratic, pitcher in 2013. At his best, he showed nearly untouchable stuff at Rookie-level Greeneville by sitting 92-95 mph with his four-seam fastball, mixing in a useful two-seamer and pairing them with a potentially plus curveball. Lee still needs to add some weight to his slight frame. His control, which has improved from well-below-average to merely below-average, needs to continue to trend up. Lee sometimes has trouble with the tempo of his delivery to the plate, and he needs to learn how to read swings and set up hitters, but as he puts more innings on his resume, he has a chance to develop into a solid mid-rotation starter. He'll join a talented low Class A Quad Cities staff in 2014.

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Given how the Orioles shuttle 40-man roster pitchers between the minors and the majors, it's a wonder that Lee has been on the 40-man for two seasons without a big league appearance. Added after an impressive 2015 season that followed a trade for international signing bonus slots from the Houston Astros, Lee pitched just 51 1/3 innings in 2016 due to a lat strain in his left shoulder. He was challenged with an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk in 2017, where some of his best outings came later in the season as a piggyback starter. Scouting Report: Lee works from a fluid, athletic lefthanded delivery and features a 91-95 mph fastball that sinks, a changeup with plus potential, and a developing slider, though the pitch is currently below average. Lee's secondary pitches, especially the slider, need to be more consistent in order to be swing-and-miss threats, though he's effective against lefthanded hitters, and scouts believe his stuff can tick up if he moves to the bullpen. The Future: For now, the Orioles' focus is on getting Lee as many innings as possible, and they're showing uncharacteristic patience with a young talent who at worst can be a late-inning relief arm if he doesn't reach his No. 4 starter ceiling. Lee will be in the mix for a major league role in spring training, but a return to Norfolk is more likely in 2018.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Orioles acquired Lee from the Astros in May 2015 for two international bonus slots worth $655,800. Lee finished 2015 at Double-A Bowie and joined the 40-man roster after the season. He began 5-0, 2.30 in 2016 but didn't pitch after May 23. He went on the disabled list with a lat strain, but when the Orioles shifted him to the 60-day DL in September, they announced he had a shoulder strain. He was shut down for the fall after a visit to Dr. James Andrews. Scouting Report: Lee pitches off an above-average fastball, with a sinking fastball that generates ground balls and sits 89-92 mph but jumps into the mid-90s. His slider flashes plus and gets swings and misses from lefties, who he held to a .155 average. He showed a real feel for his changeup at his best, and his changeup is ahead of his slider in terms of consistency. He would get out of his delivery at times, harming his command. Loss of command also seemed to limit Lee's putaway capability and his strikeout rate plummeted. He needs to add some strength for future durability. The Future: Had he not gotten hurt, Lee probably would have been called to the majors at some point. The Orioles expect him to be ready for spring training. If healthy, he could start 2017 at Triple-A Norfolk and find his way to Baltimore during the season. His ceiling is back-end starter.