Mariners Roundtable: Fresh Faces Add Intrigue to Cactus League Action

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Nick Lee (@NickLee51) – Dae-Ho Lee

The Mariners signed Dae-Ho Lee to a minor-league contract and have invited him to Spring Training. So what is so exciting about an international minor-league invite? Besides us sharing names, I have looked into what Dae-Ho Lee is all about. He is all about the long ball. In the Japan Pacific League last season, he hit 31 home runs in 141 games. He’s a big dude at 6’4” and 286 pounds (though rumor has it he has lost some weight).

Lee has played 15 seasons professionally in Korea and Japan and has 323 career home runs. He also has a lifetime batting average of .303 and an on-base percentage of .387. Now, I am not so naïve to think these numbers will translate into similar success in Major League Baseball. But he has played at the highest level you can over there and has absolutely mashed. I think all he needs is a chance. He may not play 140 games with 30 home runs here, but what’s wrong with some depth and extra power? He will get a good look during spring and will have to compete with the likes of Jesus Montero, Gaby Sanchez and Stefen Romero to make the opening day roster.

Next: Brian is happy to have a new man pitching in the 9th inning