| Player: Justin Lee | |||||||||||
| School: UCLA | Position(s): RHP | ||||||||||
| Height: 6’3” | Weight: 210 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Once a highly touted prospect out of high school, UCLA right-hander Justin Lee faces a pivotal season this spring. He has impressive raw stuff, but a lack of control throughout his college career has limited his ability to reach the heights many expected for him once he made it to campus. However, the potential is absolutely still there, and if he can start locating his pitches, expect teams to pursue him heavily in the draft this summer. Repertoire-wise, Lee has an impressive set of pitches that he can call on. His fastball is lively, sitting in the mid 90’s with good movement. He also features a splitter, which plays off of his fastball perfectly, inducing tons of whiffs both as a speed change and due to its wicked, late-breaking action. For a third pitch, he utilizes a big breaking curveball that can both freeze hitters expecting a fastball and generate whiffs low in the zone and below it. He will also show a slider on occasion with good depth and movement, rounding out a very solid mix. All of the pitches play off of each other well, and if Lee can find his command with them, have the raw characteristics to be very effective. Mechanically, Lee will work out mostly out of the stretch, and is quick enough to the plate to keep runners honest. He has a smooth, controlled move that helps him generate the power he uses for his electric fastball and sharp breaking pitches. He does dip his right shoulder after breaking his hands, especially when rearing back for a fastball, leading to a very over-the-top delivery that benefits the spin profile on his pitches very well, especially the fastball and curveball. For Lee, the name of the game this spring is control. He has averaged 7 free passes per 9 innings throughout his collegiate career and summer ball, and when you’re walking that many batters, it is really hard to be effective at all. He certainly has the tools to succeed, and if he can prove this spring that he can keep his pitches around the strike zone, it can be a very different story for him entering the draft this summer. | |||||||||||
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