Chad Lee
| IP | 84 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.071 |
| WHIP | 1.286 |
| BB/9 | 3.75 |
| SO/9 | 6.429 |
- Full name Chad E Lee
- Born 12/20/1985 in Oklahoma City, OK
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Barton CC
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Drafted in the 4th round (128th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2006 (signed for $245,000).
View Draft Report
The top junior college prospect who's not under control to a big league club, Lee would have been a strong draft-and-follow candidate in 2005 had he not torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a rundown drill in fall practice. He came back in April 2005 but wasn't at full strength until this spring, when he made noise by unveiling a 91-95 mph fastball and an 80-81 mph power curve. His mechanics improved as well, as he shortened his arm action in back. But with several scouts on hand to watch him in an early April start, Lee felt a twinge in his forearm and walked off the mound. Used in relief afterward, he didn't pitch well down the stretch. While he maintained his velocity, his curveball and approach weren't as good as they were earlier. He had a chance to go in the second round before that setback, and now Lee probably is looking at the third or fourth round. If he doesn't sign, he'll attend Oklahoma.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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After the Athletics spent years drafting polished college pitchers, followed by projectable high school arms, Lee stands out because he's neither. He was the sixth junior college player drafted in 2006, and he had drawn attention for the 2005 draft before he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a rundown drill in fall practice. He came back in April 2005 but didn't return to his top form until spring 2006, when he unleashed a 91-95 mph fastball and an 80-81 mph power curve. He shortened his arm action and threw more strikes with his improved health and mechanics. Lee felt forearm pain and was pitching out of the bullpen late in the spring, so that knocked him down the draft a bit, and the A's were happy to get him in the fourth round. He had less polish than they expected in terms of fundamentals such as holding runners, fielding his position and pitch selection, and he didn't touch 95 in his debut. He'll need time to learn the basics and could end up in the bullpen eventually, yet the A's were happy to get a potential power arm for a relative bargain price of $245,000. Lee will head to low Class A for his first full season.
