Hao-Yu Lee

[Peter Welch]

Hao-Yu Lee is hitting .350/.366/.475 in his last 14 games.  His defense hasn't been anything great at 2B but it's not terrible.

That's an adequate replacement for Torres.  Long may it last.  If Lee keeps hitting well, he'll have an inside track on the 2B job next year after Torres leaves.

Peter

[Michael W]

Hao-Yu wasn't a .170 hitter, and he's not a .350 hitter either.   I see a little upside still, in that his walk rate in the minors was much higher (10.5%) than it's been in the majors (4.2%) and that often carries over better. I don't think he'll ever hit for average, so those walks will be crucial.  His OBP with the Tigers this year is .282, which is pretty bad - and that's including his recent stretch of .350 batting.  He has a little pop, we might say "McKinstry power."  Overall, I think he's a pretty good comp for McKinstry in terms of what we can expect long term, although McKinstry has been a particularly streaky hitter.

Lee is young enough that we can expect some improvement.  I would bet that his best major-league season will be quite decent.  But, like McKinstry he'll be more of a fringy reserve player for most of his career (or starter on a bad team), and he lacks the SS/CF capabilities that make McKinstry attractive as a utility player.

Michael

[Peter Welch]

Yeah, I'd like to see Lee draw more walks.  He should be able to mash lefties as well (he did in the minors).  If Lee can get his OPS near .700 I think we'll take it as a fill-in for Torres.  I do think Lee will be competing for the starting 2B job next year (maybe along with Max Anderson and Jace Jung) assuming Torres leaves as a FA or is traded at the deadline (not sure Torres will be healthy enough at the deadline for anyone to want to trade for him.   Oblique muscle injuries can drag on).

Peter

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 4:37 PM
To: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Hao-Yu Lee

 

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