Khalil Lee

This could be a make-or-break season for Lee. The 22-year-old swiped 53 bases in 129 games at Double-A in 2019, but his swing and approach at the plate needed a major overhaul, either to tap into the power suggested by his frame and athleticism or to focus on making more contact and reaching base more often. A poor showing in the Puerto Rican Winter League indicated there was still a lot of work to be done, but Lee will still head into training camp with the potential to earn a role in a Royals outfield that lacks options from the left side of the plate. If things start to click for him, he could emerge as a leadoff hitter, a four-category contributor who offers 20-20 upside, or anything in between, but his current profile points to little more than a bench job as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch-runner.

Lee ranked second in the minors with 53 steals (81.5% success rate). The Royals had an organization-wide mandate to run as much as possible -- three Royals prospects ranked in the top 12 -- so that factored in. Lee is only a 55-grade runner, but it is clear that stealing bases is a strength. He is a good athlete, capable of handling all three outfield spots. Despite a .109 ISO, Lee actually has above-average raw power, he just hasn't been able to get to it in games. His 28.2 K% was his worst mark above Low-A, but he was the third-youngest hitter in the Texas League and his 11.9 BB% was the fourth-best mark in the league. Lee's biggest weakness is his inability to consistently lift the ball (59.3 GB%). He needs a swing change to maximize his offensive potential. As is, he could be the Royals' leadoff hitter in a year or two, but would be limited to major contributions in just two categories (steals, runs).

Lee's physical tools and on-field performance have not always lined up, but he reached Double-A a day after turning 20 en route to emerging as the Royals' best prospect. He only hit six home runs in 100 games, as he is still learning to access his huge raw power in games, but he made huge strides with his approach, significantly cutting his strikeout rate while utilizing the whole field. Lee's above-average speed resulted in 16 steals on 21 attempts -- he could steal 20-plus over a full season. His 58.1 GB% at Double-A sunk his batting average, but he had never logged even a 48.0 GB% at previous stops, so hopefully he can recapture his batted ball profile from High-A. Lee specifically struggled against same-handed pitching (.248/.331/.330 vs. LHP), but his plus arm and above-average athleticism give him a chance to be an impact defender in center field or right field, which should keep his bat in the lineup. He appears on track for an early 2020 MLB debut.

Ronald Acuna and Fernando Tatis Jr., two of the 10 best prospects in baseball, were the only other teenagers to hit 15-plus home runs and steal 15-plus bases in full-season ball. Lee’s 32.1 percent strikeout rate and .237 average were mediocre, but everything else about his age 18/19 campaign at Low-A was impressive. Despite hitting for a low average, Lee walked at a 12.2 percent clip (fifth best in the Sally League), en route to finishing with a 125 wRC+. He is athletic, but while he stole 20 bases last year, he was caught 18 times and does not project to be much of a threat on the bases by the time he reaches the majors. His power and on-base skills are significant, however, and he has a howitzer of an arm, so he should have no problem manning right field. Lee should be a much better bet in OBP leagues than rotisserie formats, but he won’t turn 20 until late June, so it’s too soon to say he won’t be able to develop into a .250 or .260 hitter.

Many teams actually viewed Lee as a better fit on the mound heading into the 2016 draft, but based on the early returns, his days of toeing the rubber are over. A quick-twitch athlete with a good shot at sticking in center field, Lee showed power, speed, and a quality approach despite being almost two years younger than the average player in the Arizona League. He finished first in walks (33) and third in OPS (.880) among teenagers in the AZL and was one of just two players in the entire league -- Indians first-rounder Will Benson being the other -- with five-plus homers, five-plus steals, and 20-plus walks. Unlike several other tooled-up, high-pedigree hitters in the AZL like Benson, Seuly Matias and Oscar Gonzalez, Lee produced while keeping his strikeout rate below 30 percent (25.7). The Royals were able to grab Lee in the third round, but he should be treated like a first-round talent in dynasty league drafts this spring.