During the summer of the 2021 season, Hao-Yu Lee signed as an international free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. He would stay there until 2023, when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Michael Lorenzen.
Detroit's front office saw him as a fit with his combination of power, plate discipline, and deceptive speed. He showed that off last year in Double-A, where he appeared in 87 games, hitting .298/.363/.488 with five triples, 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 50 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases.
A predominant fastball hitter, Lee has had to make adjustments at the plate. Opposing teams have caught on to his approach and have started throwing him more off-speed pitches. In return, Lee has been reacting to these off-speed pitches and has controlled his temper when he cannot get his barrel on the ball, via MLB.com's Jason Beck.
"Obvously it's different from here and with the big leagues," said Lee. "Obviously there's still a little bit of a gap. But this is what I've learned so far this year, that I feel I am more comfortable in temper management."
Lee respects whatever roster decision the Tigers' front office makes
September is almost upon us, and fans will see teams calling up prospects, giving them a taste of big-league action. Being somebody who has played second base, third base, shortstop, and has been used as a designated hitter, Lee makes an argument to be one of the players that Detroit calls up.
"As far as getting called up and helping the team, I respect their decisions, but whatever they decide, I'll do my best to follow it," said Lee. "As of right now, I'm trying to focus on myself and getting better."
Lee would love to be one of the players to be called up, but respects whatever decision the front office makes. As for now, he is focusing on getting better.