Korey Lee

Korey Lee Bio

Korey Bryan Lee is an American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros. From Vista, California, Lee attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college baseball for the Golden Bears. He was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2022.

Early Life and Background

Korey Bryan Lee was born on July 25, 1998, in Vista, California. He attended Vista High School, where he showcased his talent in baseball. As a senior in 2016, he achieved a batting average of .407 with 21 runs batted in (RBIs). Despite his impressive performance, he was not drafted in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft and subsequently enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. At Berkeley, Lee played for the California Golden Bears, further developing his skills and gaining valuable experience.

Path to Baseball

During his freshman season at the University of California, Korey Lee appeared in 28 games, making 18 starts and batting .277 with three RBIs. After his freshman year, he participated in the Northwoods League to gain additional playing time. In his sophomore year, he played in 36 games, hitting .238 with five home runs and 26 RBIs. Lee’s breakout season came in 2019 when he slashed .339/.415/.613 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs over fifty games, earning a spot on the Pac-12 First Team. This performance caught the attention of MLB scouts.

Korey Lee Career

Early Career (2019-2021)

Korey Lee was selected by the Houston Astros with the 32nd overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft. He signed for $1.75 million and made his professional debut with the Tri-City ValleyCats in the Class A Short Season New York–Penn League. Over 64 games with the ValleyCats, he posted a batting average of .268 with three home runs and 28 RBIs. The following year, Lee was assigned to the Asheville Tourists of the High-A East, where he continued to impress with a .330 batting average over 29 games before being promoted to the Corpus Christi Hooks.

Breakthrough (2022-Present)

On July 1, 2022, Korey Lee was promoted to the major leagues by the Houston Astros. He made his MLB debut that night as a pinch hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. Lee’s first major league start came on July 4, 2022, against the Kansas City Royals, where he recorded his first major league hit and RBI. He had a standout performance on July 10, 2022, against the Oakland Athletics, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Lee’s contributions helped the Astros secure a World Series title in 2022, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Notable Works and Milestones

Korey Lee’s signature achievement thus far is winning the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022. He has also made a name for himself with notable performances, including a three-homer game in the minor leagues and a strong debut season in MLB.

Korey Lee Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Korey Lee has been recognized for his achievements, including being named to the Pac-12 First Team during his collegiate career.