Khalil Lee

Khalil Lee

26-Year-Old OutfielderOF
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Khalil Lee in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Mets in May of 2023.
Cut by Mets
OFFree Agent  
May 8, 2023
The Mets released Lee on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Lee hasn't hit much at all in the minors over the last two seasons and was removed from the 40-man roster this offseason following an investigation into alleged domestic violence incident. The outfielder will turn 25 next month and will look to catch on in another organization.
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Batting Stats
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2022
2021
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2021 MLB Game Log
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-100%
OPS vs RHP
2024
No Stats
2023
No Stats
2022
 
 
-100%
OPS vs RHP
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2022vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Since 2022vs Right 2.500 2 1 1 3 0 .500 .500 2.000
2024vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022vs Right 2.500 2 1 1 3 0 .500 .500 2.000
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Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-100%
OPS on Road
2024
No Stats
2023
No Stats
2022
 
 
-100%
OPS on Road
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2022Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Since 2022Away 2.500 2 1 1 3 0 .500 .500 2.000
2024Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022Away 2.500 2 1 1 3 0 .500 .500 2.000
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Prospect Rankings History
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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2020
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The clock is ticking for Lee. He's entering his final option year and looking more and more like a trade (or DFA) candidate as Mets owner Steve Cohen continues his spending spree in free agency. Lee has already been traded once, back in 2021, a few months after the Royals initially added him to their 40-man roster. While Lee smacked 10 homers and stole 14 bases in 100 games at Triple-A last season, he also struck out in exactly one-third of his 418 plate appearances and was 11% below league average by wRC+ -- not great for a 24-year-old at that level. Lee has stolen as many as 53 bases in a minor-league season and that speed will keep him on the radar in deep rotisserie leagues. Expect the Mets to exercise that aforementioned option and stash Lee in the minors as outfield depth to begin 2023.
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.
More Fantasy News
Joining camp in March
OFNew York Mets  
February 18, 2023
Lee will report to the Mets' minor-league camp March 2, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sent outright to Triple-A
OFNew York Mets  
February 10, 2023
Lee was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Friday.
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Designated for assignment
OFNew York Mets  
February 6, 2023
Lee was designated for assignment on Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
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Sent down Wednesday
OFNew York Mets  
June 15, 2022
Lee was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
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Promoted Wednesday
OFNew York Mets  
June 8, 2022
Lee was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Big-league debut on horizon
OFNew York Mets  
May 6, 2021
Lee could be called up by the Mets as soon as Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Brandon Nimmo (finger) was placed on the injured list, which leaves the Mets shorthanded in the outfield. The team has reportedly told Lee to be ready to report to New York for a weekend series with the Diamondbacks, though no move has been made official yet. If Lee can command consistent playing time, he could be an interesting source of speed, as he swiped 53 stolen bases in 546 plate appearances in Double-A in 2019.
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